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LONDON 
FANCY CANARY 


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RSME CFARWELL- 


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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


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COMMON SENSE 


IN THE CARE OF 


meet PET CANARY. 


HOW 10 BUY, KEEP, FEED, TAME, MATE AND BREED CANARIES; 
HOW TO NURSE THEM AND CURE THEI& AILS; HOW TO 
TREAT THEIR MANY PECULIARITIES OF TEMPER, 
HABITS, HTC., AND ALL ELSH APPERTAINING 
TO THE PET CANARY’S LIFE. 


BY 


MRS. M. HE. C. FARWELL, 
ASSISTED BY 


MR. CANON RITTENHAUS anp MRS. HELEN FRANCES; 


APPENDIX BY EH. B. FOOT#, M.D. 


** Joyous little songster Beside the golden-breasted pet 
Singing all the day; Uprose a soft-eyed Fay, 
Gay little roisterer, Who gave his bill a playful whet, 
Tell me what you say ! And gently echoed, ‘* Say, 
Happy heart,—happy heart, Happy heart, happy heart, 
ell me what you say!” Tell her what you say!” 


Bright the eyes, upturned to mine, 
And sweet the trilling bell, 
That broke into a singing line 
Of what he had to tell :— 
** Life is sweet—Love is good ! 
That is what I say ! 
All the day, 
Say, say, say!” 


NEW YORK: 
MURRAY HILL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
129 East 28TH STREET. 
1886. 


° FOOTE, MM. Din 


& 
E 
g 


BH, B 


PAGE 
Chapter I.—Why This Book Appears........... 
Chapter IJ.—The Pet Canary.................+. 4 
Chapter I1J.—How to Care for Canary Birds... 6 
Chapter IV.—Mating and Breeding............. 15 
Chapter V.—The Aviary Nidification........... 36 
Chapter VI.—How to Tame and Train Canar- 
ele cre aw ors views op ov dune eottacw als 


PAGE, 
Chapter VII.—How to Select a Bird when Buy- di 
AP ai tcmuhe Nesmadh Awake atiathene Oe Deaths uw iad fe 
Chapter VIIT.—Diseases of Canaries............ 55 
Chapter IX.—Concluding Remarks and Sug- 
SNR OINES aie di St eas cea eee) de aati Yew We 0 


—) =SSig eas 
INDEX, 


A loud, clear note, 65 

An ounce of prevention, 55 — : 

Asthma, symptoms, prescriptions, nursing, and 
cure, 59 

A variety of hints; best foods, etc., 117 


Bare place on head. and how cured, 104 
Biliousness, symptoms and how cured, 66 


Bill 

Bird doctors, 55 

Birds are imitative, 116 

Bloat, 104 

Blindness, 105 

Bopeep’s act of love, 56 

Bowels, consumption of, how cured, %2 
Bowels, inflammation of, and treatment, 86 
Breeding, 15 

Breeding cage, selection and care of, 25 
Breeding with profit and economy, weaning, etc., 


Buying birds, how to select them, 53, 54 


Canaries, how to train them, 42 

Catarrh and colds, symptoms, and how each are 
treated successfully, 69, 70 

Cholera, how they breed, cure, 66, 69 

Cholera, symptoms and remedies, 72 

Chop-notes, how to prevent them, 48 

Constipation, how cured, 70 

Consumption, its treatment and cure, 70, 71 

Corrector, a valuable remedy, 119 


Dark and light birds, 54 

Decline, treatment and cure, 70, 71 
Diarrhcea, how tv cure it, 73 

Dickie and Nettie go joyfully to work, 17 
Diet, variety in diet, 10 

Diseases, how they are made manifest, 59 
Diseases of canaries, symptoms, care and cure, 55 
Dislocated joint, 104 

Dispositions, 109 

Dropsy, symptoms and treatment, 73 
Dysentery, treated thoroughly, 76 
Dyspepsia, with remedies, 75 


Eating off one’s finger, how to teach it, 45 
Egg-bound, how cured, 77 

Eggs, one bird lays sixty-three in a year, 81 
Egg-stoppage, with treatment, 78 

Epilepsy, its treatment, 80 

Escaped birds, how to catch them, 115 
Exercise. time for, 49 

Eyes, wild and strained, 94 


Familiar associations, 50 
Fannie and Dickie, 24 
Fecundity, treated at length, 80 
Feet, sore, how treated, 104 

Feet and limbs, care of, 116 

Fever, pairing fever, treatment, 105 
Five birds a nice family, 28 

Foods, essential foods, 7 


Greens. seeds, etc., 88 


Hatching, hints in regard to, 111 

Heart disease, treatment, 83 

Hiccough, how cured, 85 

Hoarseness, 85 

ae manage an aviary of several hundred birds, 


How to teach the canary to sit on your finger, 44 
Humors, how treated, 85 
Hungarian millet, 113 


Ignorance unveiled, 27 

Impotence, cure, 87 

Incubation, bathing is not injurious, 26 

cae sana of bowels, etc., treatment and cure, 


Influenza, symptoms and treatment, 86 
Interbreeding, canaries will interbreed, 40 ; 
Ee Ors, No. 1 and No. 2, standard remedies- 


Keep the cage in the sun, 61 
Keep birds out of the draught, 18, 14 
Kissing, how to teach it, 43 


Ladies make good doctors, 58 

Laying, when they begin, 38 

Legs, scales on legs, also swollen legs, 104 

Liberty, allow perfect liberty, 3 

Lice, how to exterminate them, 96, 98 

Little ones, how and what to feed them when aban- 
doned by their parents, 29 


Mating, rules for, 20 

Maturity, 114 

Measles and Mumps, 91 : 

Mites, how generated and the best mode for their 
extermination, 

Mother-bird, care of, 22 

Moulting, management of it, 89 

Mustard, use of, 115 


Neglect is criminal, 5 


1V INDEX. 


Nests, be generous with material for, 37 Singers, how to procure them, 21 rm 
Never too late,71 i Snapping of the bill, 102 
Nidification, aviary nidification, 36 pee aa the young, 32 
j : prains, 
Other cunning tricks, 45 2 Sprightly as ever, 69 
Opera-glasses good for canaries, 105 Statistics from an aviary, 23 
Other useful hints, 32 Stoppage, etc., 84 
Overgrowth of bill and claws, 98 1 Story of a pair of robin redbreasts, 63 
: Suggestions, 107 
Pay your way, or die the death, 82 Sweating on the nest, remedy, 83 
Persian powder, be careful, 92 
Perspiration, keep it up, 68 Taming and training, 42 
Picking the young, 108 The first egg, 26 
Pip, how cured, 85 ; ; Two questions answered, 110 
Putrid eggs, how they may poison the birds, 99 Tympany or wind bloat, 104 
Queer antics, 64 Universal Pet, 1 
Rare notes, how to teach them, 46 Variety of food necessary, 111-115 
Reliable information, 6 Vermin, they will not die in winter, 93 
Remedies, standard remedies given in detail, 106 Vertigo, 105 ; 
Rollicking, gay and sprightly, 11 Voice, how to expand it, 47 
Rump gland, how to treat, etc., 100 Voice, loss of, 


Rupture, treatment, 101 : : 
While breeding, pairs should not be separated, 34 


Seed, buy it by the bushel, 35 Whims, they delight in, 12 : 
Seminal weakness, treatment and cure, 87 Worms, symptoms, treatment, and cure, 102 
Sex, how to regulate it, 22 

Shucks, look out for them, 30 Young, care of, 28 


Mrs. Bristol’s story of Pip and Biddy, 122 
Mrs. Farwell’s explanation of same, 123 
Pepper (cayenne), used in coloring the plumage of 


Additional facts and narratives, 121 
A generous compliment, 13 
Alien mates, 126 


ae SS eS 


A review of the editor’s work, 1381 birds, 129 

Bird culture and race culture, 129 The medical treatment of the canary, 131 
Bopeep and the mirror, 134 The new philosophy (character contagious), 133 
How kindness to pets is repaid, 132 The Scotch fancy and Yorkshire, 127 

Human nature and bird nature, 122 The story of Pinkie, Phyllis, and Buttercup, 125 


Longevity of the canary, 128 


f 
PAGE. PAGE. 

A Batten Nest (Bopeep’s Architecture) ......... 39 | Grass Canary (chromo), first page of cover. 
Belgian Canary (chromo), last page of cover. Greenfinch .. .......s..5 nsteseeue sue senna Wed 
Black Cap Canary’ (Female)..........ccsceessees 47 | Lancashire Copy Canary.? .:.2sscs. css see 118 
MNO ALAITIING Ng ook « din o'b.c.c0 od oes bao vs nee en eee 99 | Lizard Canary (chromo), last page of cover. 
PPMUMRINTIEIAS, 0, o.c's nic'viviane Galeciolsine's trasisie do Seen nEeeee ae 60 | London Fancy Canary (chromo), first page of 
Oy Ter eee CeeER ee 69 cover. 
Cinnamon Canary (chromo), last page of Male Lesser Redpole, ........ce++sscereees ate teeta 24 

cover. SUSKIN 2... 500 sos nible's oe uu n/p is ei aetna 83 
Female Lesser Redpole............cccccscecceces 25 | The Scotch Fancy. ...:..case usu ee eee 126 
French Canary (chromo), last page of cover. The Wild Canary... :.ccvascste~» oe aus Sanna ¢ ae 
German Canary (chromo), last page of cover. The Yorkshire... ...'.. cc susie: ps sea 127 


Goldfinch...... OS ere te soecescecceccesses. 91-1 Topknot Canary (chromo), last page of cover. 


CHAPTER |, 


WHY THIS BOOK APPEARS. 


FA 


(ig \ v0 HIS book is written with two aims: First, to en- 

> a hance the beauties, health, and general comfort of 
pi WMA? the canary’s life. Second, to enable our sister own- 
pit . ers of these pets to better appreciate their quality 
"and character, to better enjoy their sociality as 
pets, and especially to show how their little wants and ails 
should be treated. 

A true affection for, and sympathy with, the dependent, 
helpless little lives has actuated our pen from beginning to 
end, impelling us to treat each subject with an exhaustive 
thoroughness, such as none—not the dullest, even—need misunder- 
stand. 

The canary is a universal pet. In nearly every home in the [and 
one or more are domesticated, till no home seems to bear a real home 
beauty where the merry warbler is unheard—where the cleanly cage 
and animated bird are not seen. 

Who would be without one of these social pets? If the day be 
gloomy, the heart sore, his sweet bursts of song and merry chatter 
are sure to woo brighter sentiments— 


‘* To extinguish the blue flare 
From the lamp of old care.” 


Yet there are numerous owners of these pets who abuse them with 
neglect, affirming, ‘“‘'They’re an old story,” or, “I’ve not time to fuss 
with them!” Old story! Is it not a heartless expression? and on 
the kindly feeling of this cloyed heart the tiny prisoner depends for 
such joys, care, privileges, as compensate for the sunshine of liberty— 
the revels in the green wood—which wires and walls and human will 


oe THE PET CANARY. 


have torn from his enjoyment. Old story! Then was the purchase 
of him but a fancy; no regard or love for the helpless life actuated 
the wish to own. Is your child an “old story?” Is your husband 
an “old story?” Has the whim of their possession become a tedious 
fact? and would you also neglect the obligations of their care if you 
could easily, as you can those appertaining to your uncomplaining 
caged pet? Alas, we hope not: we hope you find real pleasure in 
some of the responsibilities you have drawn upon your life ; that you 
have too much of divinity in your heart to grow weary of duties so 
uniformly fashioned for the crucible of Love! Did you ever test the 
beautiful enjoyment of making yourself beloved? If not, begin this 
day and learn what holy revelations there are in life. 

A certain divine said to his daughter, who begged him to teach her 
how to win love: “Child, Love is a heart-magnetism ; it is easily 
cultivated ; but those not in the mystery cannot deceive a true mem- 
ber. How woo Love? Dear, there hangs thy neglected bird. First 
practise thy arts on him; having won his heart, the initial step is 
taken : you have gained the key to all hearts. Child, why dost thou 
love thy mamma and me?” She answered readily : ‘‘ Because you are 
so thoughtful and good to me.” His eyes were misty as he stooped 
to salute the youthful brow. ‘Bless thee, pet! thy appreciation re- 
pays us indeed. Teach thy bird to feel in his small heart the beau- 
tiful words you have spoken, and the Love Art will soon so grow upon 
thee ; all hearts will become magnetized to thine ; all mouths will be 
saying, ‘So thoughtful and so good is this girl, none can help loving 
her !’” 

Was not the lesson a pretty one? 

“No time to fuss with a bird,” says another. Yet you have time 
to visit your neighbors ; time to chat with callers ; time for almost 
any personal gratification ; 1f not, you will make time. 

“No time?” Then enroll the tiny pet among the latter cata- 
logue ; make it one of your many “ personal egratifications.’’” 

Here comes a lonely afternoon with the mending. Set the cage 
on the table beside the work-basket ; chat with the bird, sing with 
him, teach him a new note, as you ply the needle. The long hours 
are gone ere you know. Have you a lonely evening to pass, set the 
bird close by the light, make a companion of him, and he soon will 
be lively evenings as by day. No extra time need be lavished on 
him ; only remember you are never alone while he is in the house, 


THE PET CANARY. a 


and he will soon make a most intelligent companion if you will permit 
him. 

Among the author’s collection is a little female bird who has been 
the companion of several years of her invalided life. She flies about 
the room ; her cage-door is never closed. She is a very child in love 
and astuteness. Her remarkable intelligence and pert ways have 
made her a marvel to half the town. Nothing is done in the room 
in which Bo-peep is not interested. After bathing she plumes herself 
before the bureau mirror, twisting about as coquettes do for a back 
view. When her mistress is resting she perches on the head-board 
to sing her to sleep; when writing she sits on the desk to watch op- 
portunities of catching at the pen, or of pulling the paper from the 
pen. So when sewing—a sudden dive and the thread is caught mid- 
way and drawn from the needle, the mischievous one calmly re- 
viewing her work from a perch in the window ere one realizes what 
has occurred. She has ways of telling her wants, of expressing dis- 
pleasure ; a dumb person is not so quickly understood. The many 
cunning and intelligent habits she has acquired would fill a volume if 
written. While her love for her mistress is a wonderful revelation, no 
other person shares it. 

Did you ever free your canary in a furnished room? ‘Try it—not 
once, but for days and weeks, allowing perfect liberty. When familiar 
with the room a broader intelligence will develop, and scores of new 
habits be acquired, to please you with their novelty. 


** If hath been won e’en the love of a tiny bird, 
Life hath not been allin vain. For the heart stirred 
With Love’s vibrations hath caught a ray from Heaven! ” 


CHAPTER I, 


THE PET CANARY. 


myo one should keep a bird, or any pet, merely for or- 
= nament. It is an inhuman practice, and yields 
no real satisfaction to the ungenerous owner. Ca- 
naries are social little creatures, and covet apprecia- 
a tion. Where due care is given his wants, and a tender ap- 
wik®e, preciation bestowed on his bursts of song, his many pert 
~O4 and pretty habits, his whole nature expands and fits him to 
AY become one of the happiest of companions. His surround- 
ings may be unbeautiful, but he cares not a whit for that so 
long as his song—of which he is inordinately vain—receives 
a loving commendation, his wants are regularly supplied, and he is 
made to feel like a veritable member of the family. Thus regarded, 
his cultivation, his refinement in points of habit, in the selection and 
combining of his notes, also the intelligent notice he shows of all he 
sees and hears, will surprise you into remarking him, “ Truly a won- 
der !” 

On the other hand, hang your bird in a gilded cage, notice him 
only sufficiently to keep him in singing ability—that is, treat him as 
you do your furniture—and you have merely a singing machine, com- 
bining only intelligence enough to evince great fright when ap- 
proached, to eat, sing his one tune over and over, and go to sleep at 
sundown. He does not give you a glad welcome the moment you 
enter the room, or call out as you look up from your work, as does 
the bird you love to consider your pet; ah, no, poor little heart! he 
has learned to feel himself a nonentity, and heeds nothing that oc- 
curs, unless his cage, or self, be interfered with. | 

A canary is like a child in this respect; 7.e., you can make him 
what you will. No one has business with either one or the other 
who will not study its nature and cultivate its best points—in short, 


| 
! 


THE PET CANARY. i) 


who is not willing to make it happy. Neglect is ofttimes criminal in 
results where it appertains to childhood, but when practised on a 
poor little bird, helpless in a cage-prison, it 1s simply—vwell, it is a 
revelation of character not to be mistaken. Beware, young man, if 
you seek a wife, of the lady who forgets to cherish her pets: she will 
be sure to scoff at the duties—those many loving attentions—that 
constitute a husband’s happy comfort in his home! And her chil- 
dren! Don’t expect to take pride in a child of her rearing, because 
she'll never rear one. Her children will come up much as Topsy did 
—they'll just grow. 

Hence, I say, as the opening guide in the care of all pets, and espe- 
cially of the joyous canary, care for them as for an intelligent creature 
with claims on your humanity. Do not own one if you have no fel- 
low-feeling with it. Your pet cat leaps on your knee, you fall to 
caressing her sleek coat and talking gentle nothings to her. Up 
there in the window a canary hangs: he longs for but cannot get the 
dear attention puss basks in, for he is caged and cannot come to you. 
Do NoT FoRGET HIM! 


CHAPTER Il, 


HOW TO CARE FOR CANARY BIRDS. 


A MN is i AVING purchased a bird, really pleased to own one, 
\ it r i ve = you mean to take the best care of it, and make its 
TON Vine wire prison a happy abiding place, yourself the 

object of its fullest trust and adoration. 

Then, with kindly gaze fixed on the wistful little 

stranger, you ask: ‘‘ How shall I arrange the cage? 
where put it? What may I dare let him eat?” And you. 
think, “Td not like to injure the dear little fellow with igno- 
rant experimenting. I'll be very careful! Tl just give him 
seed and water. That’s sure not to hurt him ; and I know of noth- 
ing else. The bird books give one no practical information at all!” 

Hold, there, lady, and study these pages, for they are the product 
of years of close association with canaries and careful study of their 
needs. We promise you may rely on every detail between these 
covers. 

The cage should be attended to at least every other day, as he 
needs his bath as often as that. To do this quickly is to do it neatly. 
Thus, if you set the bath in the cage, first empty all the litter off the 
bottom, as washing it into the basin makes dirty work. But if the 
bottom of the cage comes off, best set the bath on a fresh paper, on 
floor or on table, in a sunny spot if possible, and put the cage over it. 
The bird will soon enter the water, take a good cleansing, and then 
will lay his plumage as he sits in the sun on a perch. Birds delight 
in their bath. Never deny it. If you can do so conveniently, give it 
them every morning. In an aviary they wash several times a day, 
where water is free to them all hours of the day. Considering this, 
many keep the bath in the cage all the time ; but it is a dirty practice, 
besides being useless, as, deprived of all heating exercise, the need 
of more than one ablution per day is not felt, consequently not in- 


THE PET CANARY. 7 


dulged. Remove the bath.after the wash, wipe the drops off the cage, 
and cleanse the perches, if dirty ; if not, dry them also. 

While bathing, you have cleansed all filth off the cage-bottom and 
covered it with clean paper—two thicknesses—cut to fit it smoothly. 
Paper is preferable to sand, as you can then see the droppings, 
thereby judging of the bird’s health ; otherwise they roll into the 
sand, and their condition is hid. Many birds die whose disease, taken 


in time, could have been easily cured. But its droppings were hidden 


in sand, and the first intimation of illness was given by loss of appe- 
tite and song, drooping, closed eyes, etc. Too late then. By this 
you perceive the advantage of a paper carpet. Sand is essential, 
though ; so set in a box or dish filled with, clean sand, into which are 
tossed some bits of egg-shell. (Keep the shells for this purpose 
whenever an egg is broken. Raw eggs, you understand.) They love 
it even better than cuttle-fish for a digester. Cuttle-fish must not be 
dispensed with because of the shell. If they can have but one, give 
the fish preference. 

The size of the sand-dish may vary according to size of cage. It 
must not occupy too much room, else the value of the paper is un- 
done. A few hemp-seeds sprinkled on the sand is a good idea, as a 
waste of seed is thus prevented. Never mix the hemp with the other 
seed, asa bird will throw out all in the cup in a search for it. So itis 
best to put the allowance of hemp-seed on the sand with the egg- 
shell. 

Now fill the cups, one with pure water (keep the cup clean and 
sweet), the other with canary, rape, millet seeds; equal quantities of 
canary and rape, with a light sprinkle of millet. Millet is not so well 
liked, and will be wasted if mixed in to any amount—by wasting the 
other seed searching for it—unless the bird discover a liking for it, 
when it may be mixed in any quantity he pleases, as millet is never 
hurtful. 

To this diet—we are arranging the cage, remember, for a stand- 
ard every-day use, with essentials only—add half a Boston cracker, 


‘which may be fastened between the wires near a perch. Fasten in 


a cuttle-fish bone, also a lump of sugar, and either a slice of apple or 
other green food. 

Now your bird is supplied with a diet that will not harm him, and 
on which he will thrive and be happy though there be no additions 
made ; yet variety pleases, and aids in producing a system of intel- 


8 THE PET CANARY. 


ligent observation, such as one wishes to cultivate in their pets. 
Hence, for the benefit of those incapable of discriminating between a 
wise and unwise variety, we append a list of prudent foods, with a 
few remarks. 

But first, ere pampering our gay little pet, where shall we put 
him? Free him in the room, and he will show you at once that he best 
loves a sunny place. Always consult the natural desires of the bird, 
as far as you can, in your treatment of him, if you wish him to thrive © 
in health and song. If long deprived of this life-infusing element— 
the sunshine—he will fall into a decline, loss of voice, and ete. Avoid 
this by giving him a sunny window. He may hang on a spiral wire 
before the window, or on a hook fastened to the casing. 

Here, for the benefit of those who complain that a bird refuses to 
sing when put in a new location, I will say: Birds are, in a wide 
measure, creatures of habit. If you accustom them to one spot only, 
it is your own fault if they grow to object to a change. The wisest 
plan is to set up screws in several windows, or rooms, if you wish, 
and change him around every few days ; or, if you enjoy watching 
his comfort, let him follow the sun from window to window. It is 
also a good plan not to accustom him to one bathing locality, as con- 
ditions may rise to sometimes prevent this one spot being available 
when he refuses to wash. 

All birds are not obstinate in these matters. They are only oc- 
casional. Out of the sixty old canaries in the author’s aviary, there 
is but one—a bright yellow singer—who has evinced this perplexing 
disposition. He is now two years of age, and sings and bathes wher- 
ever we may put him.. The others have never discovered any especial 
prejudices, adapting themselves to our wishes with an aptitude a child 
might imitate to advantage. . 

The following foods may be given in their seasons ; or, when some 
of the many dainties are by for your own feasting, remember the bird 
and divide with him. After a little he will not let you forget the 
division, but will chirp and caper about until your attention is at- 
tracted, and the usual amount handed over : 

Seeds.—Canary, rape, hemp, millet. Yellow mustard-seed and 
pepper-grass seed is a delightsome luxury, but must be given in 
very small quantities, and tossed in on the sand. A red pepper may 
occasionally be strung in the cage. The canary is partial to fiery 
food, and so must not be too constantly indulged, lest internal inju- — 


THE PET CANARY. 9 


ries accrue. Eaten in moderation, they make an excellent relish in 
winter and during the moulting period. 

Green Food.—Lettuce, chickweed, plantain-rods, pepper-grass, 
yellow mustard, tender asparagus, cabbage-leaf, tender, clover-tops, 
roses, and buds ; slices of apple, pear, peach, melons, banana, orange, 
plums, cherries, berries, and any other ripe fruit that is mellow and 
not poisonous. 

Figs, dates, raisins, popped corn, stale bread, buns, sponge-cake, 
hard-boiled egg, rice, boiled or soaked ; Irish or sweet potatoes, either 
boiled or baked ; sweet corn, raw or cooked ; green peas, tender string- 
beans, young sugar-beet, and tender turnip. 


((6 i \ rag 


THE WILD CANARY. 


The meats of the shell-bark, beechnut, peanut, filbert, etc., may be 
chopped fine and allowed in minute quantities, as a special dainty, 
now and then. Oily nuts—the shag-bark, butternut, etc.—are harm- 
ful if much indulged, though a trifle may be given at discretion of 
the owner. A creamnut caught in the wires will be nibbled with rel- 
ish, but must not be too often allowed. Cocoanut and cocoanut-cake 
the birds enjoy as dainties. The wisest dainty, however, is stale 
bread soaked in sweetened cream. 

Ants’ eggs are an especially healthful diet for all sorts of birds. 
Birds not too closely confined may partake of figs and hemp-seed quite 


4 


10 THE PET CANARY. 


freely, but unless exercising they prove rather too fattening for con- 
stant diet. Figs are strengthening for the weak ones, and very heal- | 
ing for those with weakly bowels. 

Many are prejudiced against giving birds varied foods, avowing 
loss of song and health the result. That is a mistake ; variety in diet 
is natural to all bird-life. We would not, however, recommend 
cramming any creature, any more than we would advise a system of 
starvation ; and birds kept on one or two kinds of seed are, in our 
opinion, undergoing a slow and torturous starvation. They become 
bony, cross, nervous, mopy; their blood is reduced in quality, 
streneth goes; and the issue of such is sure to be weakly. Who 
wants such birds? Who knowingly will invest money in them? A 
trifling illness carries them off. If you fancy such diet proper, test 
it on yourself. Settle down to Graham and water, and see how merry 
and strong you feelin a few weeks’ time. If yousing or dance, it will 
be for something to eat. 

Greasy food, and that containing much salt, must be avoided. 
' There are in market several sorts of ‘‘ prepared food,” which are so 
universally advertised that they ought to contain some merit, and may, 
for aught the author knows. She can speak of two kinds only, and not 
favorably of those. Seeing the birds evinced unquestionable disgust 
as they ate, absolutely refusing to taste a second time, she ventured 
to test the flavor herself. She spat out the costly morsel, rinsed 
her mouth, and exclaimed, ‘‘ The creature that can swallow that has 
lost the sense of taste !” 

It seemed a pity to destroy so costly a bonne bouche, so we con- 
cluded to utilize it on a cat that was troublesome about the aviary 
windows. Accordingly the cake was soaked thoroughly in a strong 
beef-tea, enclosed in a thin slice of steak, and laid under the window 
most favored. The bait took. Reader, we avouch, and with truth, 
that our long cherished hopes in regard to that cat were by this 
means fully realized. The cat didn’t die. She was the dear pet of 
a good friend, so we wished not to bereave; but the dainty palate 
was so disgusted with the tid-bit found under the window that she 
never longed to beguile the time in that locality again. 

Mr. Rittenhaus, who succeeded his father in the business of canary 
culture, and has thereby the experience of nearly half a century to 
deduct conclusions from, says: ‘‘Some of the ‘prepared foods’ are 
passable, but none of them will meet requirements in all cases. A 


» 


THE PET CANARY. 11 


bird kept exclusively on seed will often be benefited if a good article 
of this kind is placed at his disposal, because the ants’ eggs, bread, 
etc., comprising the food will strengthen the impoverished system ; 
and that is all the curative work it will do. The better way is to give 
pet birds a judicious variety of fresh foods every day. For a bird 
starved enough to relish these stale foods in a dry pressed cake, which 
has to be soaked so as to be eaten, is quite as pitiful an object as the 
miserable sinner in a dungeon, whose appetite, whetted by insufficient 
rations, gloats over the black bread and brackish water which an of- 
fended government doles out. ‘To victimize pet birds in this way is 
a most inconsistent cruelty. The fact that life can be sustained on a 
very spare diet is no just reason for subjecting a creature to it. And 
as regards tonics, there may be a few fair to good recipes before the 
public that will meet the wants of certain indispositions ; we, how- 
ever, never use a general tonic. We examine symptoms, and give 
remedies accordingly.” 

Remove all stale bits each time the cage is cleansed, or before, if 
such has become acid or rotten, when the fresh flavor disappears. 
Rotten or sour foods, if eaten, will create bowel complaints, sometimes 
even bringing about cholera. Better keep the dainties away than 
neglect to remove them in season. 

A gluttonous bird must not be allowed all he can eat. Give him 
his dainties in very small quantities. Birds that have all they want 
from the start—in the nest—are not so liable to overfeed as those 
that have been stinted. They taste the dainty with an epicure’s re- 
fined appreciation, and return to their song. Plumpness beautifies 
a bird, and, unless he gets lazy, there is no good reason for stinting 
his rations. Laziness is attributable to forced inactivity more than 
to diet. All pet birds should be allowed to fly about at least twice a 
week. But if this privilege cannot be permitted, caution must be 
used in pampering the bird. The author always liberated her caged 
family every other evening toward sunset. They had a riotous time 
till dark, when each returned to its cage and went toroost. They 
never mixed in this, each knowing its own cage. Most birds fall to 
this habit after being caught and shown their duty a few times. The 
cages must hang in pleasant places, though, to reconcile them to 
voluntary retirement. Left sitting on the floor the birds will rarely 
seek them. If you want a real rollicking, gay, and sprightly bird, 
see that he has exercise, and keep him in a fair-sized cage. 


1 THE PET CANARY. 


A tiny mirror attached to the wires inside gives a bird, a female 
especially, great enjoyment. A singer spends rather too much time 
at it, unless—as is often the case—he forms a habit of singing to his 
image. ‘The female, when kept alone, should always be provided with 
one. She will treasure it, and, should another bird attempt to look 
in it, will fight for it with all her might. Also hang a bell where she 
can strike her bill against it. Tiny beils on each end of her swing 
delight her when she gets acquainted with them. The female has an 
inventive genius worth watching, if you privilege her so she can use 
it. In this way she is as entertaining as the singer, passing quickly 
from one object to another, intent on self-amusement. She appreci- 
ates attention with a reciprocity of love, and of comprehension, such 
as the more vain male bird seldom exhibits. She’ll repay all you do 
for her. Try her, and see. 

One more charge on the care of these praiseworthy pets, and 
we will close the chapter. Many have acquired the fallacious idea 
that a house-bird, because it is a bird, is able to breast all atmospheres. 
Disabuse your mind of that idea at once! Brought up in the arti- 
ficial atmospheres of the house, they are susceptible to changes as 
much as children are—as yourself may be: You'd not think of sit- 
ting baby Carrie or Charlie in an open window with a strong breeze 
blowing through ; nor would you let them sleep where a cold draft 
crossed the bed ; nor would you let them play on the piazza on a 
chilly morning without extra warm wraps ; neither must they stay 
there when a strong wind sweeps across it. True, the bird is warmly 
feathered, so are the children judiciously attired ; yet common sense 
teaches you a severe cold will result if they have not on additional 
clothing, and it may settle in head, throat, lungs—perchance, eventu- 
ate in death. House-birds are also li&ble to colds in head, lungs, 
etc., if incautiously exposed to unusual temperatures. They have no 
extra garments to don. A temperature of about seventy degrees acts 
on a singing bird like a stimulant. He is perfectly happy in it. Of 
course, no one is expected to regulate the atmosphere to a bird’s 
pleasure. We mention the fact merely to show you how much better 
warm temperatures are adapted to house-birds. If properly covered 
nights, they will weather severe winters without losing their voice ; 
but if exposed to winds, draughts, cold, blame yourself for the sud- 
den disappearance of his cheery song. 

Notice how he stands on one foot while warming the other in his 


Ne pe — 


THE PET CANARY. 18 


feathers on a cold winter morning, his feathers all distended. If 
that fails to convince you he suffers from the cold, take him in your 
hands, see how like tiny icicles are the little feet, how he cuddles in 
your warm palm, how reluctant he is to leave it for the cold cage 
again; and youll conclude house-pets do not have the hardihood of 
wild birds. How can they? They are artificially reared, live artifi- 
cial lives in a pleasant prison, maybe ; yet the inactivity and artifi- 
ciality deplete the blood, render them fragile, and none but a f—l 
would expect them to compete with a free wild bird in endurance, 

So many pet canaries have been brought to our notice afflicted 
with diseases contracted by injudicious exposure, we feel it a duty to 
speak on the subject thus warmly ; for owners of canaries so rarely 
pause to consider the marked difference in their constitution and a 
wild bird’s. ‘Birds need to be out doors,” they say, and put them 
out in fierce gales ofttimes, with the kindest possible intention. Soon 
sone ceases, a blood-vessel bursts, he is dying. ‘* What can be the 
cause? Il not buy another bird of that fancier!” So the fancier is 
disparaged ; he has to suffer for the ignorant buyer’s folly, who is so 
devoid of reasonable argument she won’t see why a canary must be 
naturally less hardy than other birds—wild, free birds—of the same 
size. | 

None can be blamed because of ignorance, but when truth is ad- 
vanced it is a foolish person indeed who'll not accept it and profit 
thereby. If, after perusing these pages, you still starve and expose 
your house-birds, blame only yourself for whatsoever results, and point 
no calumniating finger at the fancier who sold them to you. House- 
birds are better off, will live longer, to never be hung in the open air, 
than to be exposed thereto in a breezy or frosty or chilly hour. A 
lady of our acquaintance hung a cage containing three beautiful 
singers and two females on the piazza a few times in the chill of our 
September mornings. They soon evinced symptoms of illness. The 
females and a singer expired in great agony. She called on us with 
the others, lamenting to lose the whole of so lovely a brood. We 
examined them, and said: “They have had a hard chill.” At first 
she pooh-poohed the idea. ‘The weather has been so mild all 
along,” she said, “and I am very careful in caring for them.” Fact 
convinced her, though, that the mornings of September were not mild 
enough for these delicate pets. The rattling in the little chest, the 
snuffling in the nostrils—these were unmistakable signs. They 


14 THE PET CANARY. 


might have been cured had no more alarming symptom appeared, 
but cold upon cold had at last destroyed the lung-tissue. pid were 
beyond saving. 

If your bird-cage is in the window, throw, at night, some article 
or pin a paper over those sides nearest the casement. It is a mo- 
ment’s work only, and secures the bird from a chance draught and 
the consequent injury. He is such a rollicking little fellow when he 
feels well if pays to keep him so. On very cold nights remove from 
the window, set on a table, or any convenient place where the cage 
can be warmly covered and is safe from chance knocks. A small 
opening is left at the base for pure breathing air—not larger over 
than a silver dollar—and he is comfortable as need be. 


CHAPTER WW, 


MATING AND BREEDING. 


TA (ue "i ‘iia mm HIS is a beautiful epoch in the life ee the intelligent 
o (ih Nie oe s~ canary. ‘The male “ goes a wooing” with his most 
V Sai Aa fe charming song; selects the most palatable combina- 


hy Pym 

Be, a oat 44 bem of Gods: to regale his lady upon; and shows 

ves at her, by every conceivable device, that his heart is 
hk) warm to her, that she is precious in his regard, and will be 


ui) \' eternally, 7f she will kindly reciprocate and become his faithful 
fe wile. 

Watch her loving responses ; the delight his adoration im- 
parts ; the soft chat and kissing in the cage corners; the 
earnest consultations over the nest; the silly sentiment generally. 
It is beautiful ; it is honest. Once happily mated, they will continue 
together with unswerving fidelity throughout life, unless torn apart 
by an unsympathetic owner, as is too often done. Canaries, allowed 
to enact their true natures in this wedlock, are generally monogamice. 
The female is virtually so; and the male adheres to the principle 
with far greater universality than do the human lords—who bow to 
the monogamic law as a State law, as well asa moral law, yet will 
jump the traces. | 

In some instances the male birds will woo a second mate while the 
first, or true, wife is setting on her eggs; but the true wife is ever 
dearest, and his care will not desert her. Sometimes, in a heyy 
aviary, the two wives will form an attachment, and help in. aring for 
each other’s nests fondly as two sisters ; and when the breeang season 
is over will continue devoted friends, at night each prvning either 
side their little husband. Of his own will, howeverthe male rarely 
seeks a third consort ; he seems to think two evugh for any proper 
bird, and takes solid enjoyment in their soxéty. The female is in- 
different to all males except her elected gate. If he be taken from 


* 


16 THE PET CANARY. 


her she will mourn, and receive no other during the season. Fe- 

males, deprived of their first love, often mourn themselves to death. 7 

For this reason it is best to so place the birds, regarding quality, 

color, etc., as to make the first union a desirable one in your wishes, 

and never separate them after, unless certain uncontrollable exigen- 
cies arise and compel the act ; for it is a heartless act, and spoils the 

— true beauty of the two little lives forever. 

There is a flawless moral principle in bird love, when allowed to 
develop in NATURAL ORDER ; but human interference generally perverts 
it, and shapes the helpless little prisoners into lewd, unprincipled, 
and indifferent dispositions. ‘This is effected by changing the fe- 
male’s mate each season, by caging the male with various mates each 
and every season, in the mercenary determination to raise a numerous 
progeny from the few males a fancier feels compelled to ‘ keep over ” 
for the purpose of replenishing the stock in trade. Also many pri- 
vate owners of mated pairs, in ignorance of the moral tie so beautiful 
in bird nature, lend them away from each other, or sell them from 
each other. ' 

It is a pernicious act, unworthy our boasted humanity. Often 
have we wished a protective order might be created to prevent the © 
numerous inhuman treatments these tiny feathered prisoners are 
forced to endure. This separation is also productive of bad results. 
Out of hosts of instances coming under our observation, we will men- 
tion a few: 

A pair of happily-matched birds had been three years together, 
when the female was lent and another mate procured for the singer. | 
Mark the result in both cases. The male, hitherto a most devoted . 
husband and father, though he mated with his new wife, utterly re- 
fused to care for her while sitting on her eggs, and when the young | 
brood came along took no delight in them. In vain the mother-bird 
called, coaxed, waited for his attentive pleasure. He sat, ate, sang, 
iiuterent and unheeding. She soon took offence, and herself io- : 
nored the*:ttle ones’ cry for food. When four days were gone by, 
all in thinest were dead of starvation. | 

A seco and a third nest followed the same fate, when the sad 
little female vas returned to her owner, and Dickie’s true mate 
brought home. Se, also, had made bad work. She, before most 
amiable in her dometicity, was cross, exacting, quarrelling all the 
days. She built a first 1evi and laid four infertile eggs, not haying 


THE PET CANARY. 17 


permitted the male his prerogatives as an acknowledged mate. Fi- 
nally a second nest was built, she leading her persistent companion 
a torturous time of it, as he by this time had succeeded in forcing 
her to a—very unwilling—concession. He wished to please; she 
could not wholly cast off the spirit of rebellion raging in her little 
breast, and would accost him with unexpected and undeserved abuses. 
A brood was hatched, of so weakly structure they scarcely lived to eat. 

Before the third nest was ready, she was taken back to Dickie, 
her own true mate, and the meeting was an affair of serene satisfac- 
tion on both sides. The next morning they signified their wish for 
a nest, which was quickly given them ; and then did Dickie and Mrs. 
Nettie go joyfully to work, devoted to each other in every item per- 
taining to their marital bliss and the production of their expected 
family. Nettie’s third nest was a success, both parents sharing in its 
care. 

“Tf this marital principle had not been proven to me right here 
in my own home,” said to me the owner of these two birds, ‘‘I never 
would have believed the story of it!” 

“Youll not attempt to separate them again ?”’ we asked, 

** No, indeed ; I have a heart,” was the reply. And we believe the 
Recording Angel pinned a blessing to that lady’s name the moment 
she spoke the words. 

Our limited space admits of but one more instance, though we 
would like to interest the reader with dozens, because they so clearly 
elucidate the real status of bird morals as subjected to the freaks of 
captivity. 

A pair from the same nest were allowed to become mates. They 
raised several healthy broods the first year, greatly enjoying it. The 
owner fancied they were wrongly mated because of the near relation, 
and, not arguing to their favor the healthfulness and beauty of their 
offspring, concluded to exchange females with a friend the ensuing 
spring. Without being especially devoted, the male bird treated his 
new spouse very well, and raised a pretty fair family, though not so 
complete, according to the number hatched, as he raised the preced- 
ing year. His interest was markedly less in the new wife and her 
responsibilities, hence the small family were the straggling product 
of several nests. 

The next year they raised more progeny, doing rather better than 
they did the preceding year. Shortly after they were sold to a Mrs, 

2 | . 


18 THE PET CANARY. 


G , 2 lady of no experience in bird culture. She expressed her- 
self disgusted with the quarrelsome creatures, after half a year’s trial 
with them ; could not see why they acted so different from other 
pairs she had seen in her neighbors’ homes ; finally sold off her birds 
to two different parties, retaining one singer—the only one she suc- 
ceeded in raising from this pair through a whole season’s bother. 

The history of the female runs thus: Mrs. Y , who bought 
her by exchanging a female in her place, was a fancier on a small 
‘scale. She reared birds for money, not for amusement, and her 
heart was callous to their quality. They were simply articles of mer- 
chandise to her. She fed them to keep them alive ; and cared for 
them because they would die if not cared for, and she would lose 
their value in money. It wasa hard home for poor little Emmy to 
go to with her sorrowful heart. She had two things to mourn for— 
her dear Jimmy, and her dear comfortable home. A full fortnight 
she drooped about inconsolable, rousing only to feed a little or scold 
her new companion. He was an old bird whose moral nature had 
been perverted to a confirmed libertinism. Emmy’s sadness made 
him ugly. He was taken away, lest he kill the obstinate lady. She, 
while alone, laid two infertile eges. A second mate now entered the 
cage, a young one in his first passion. He used her very tenderly, 
and by unwavering devotion succeeded in restoring her spirits to 
something of their old vivacity. She laid four eggs, and began setting. 
At that period Mrs. Y always removed the male, providing him 
with a new spouse, thus rearing as many nests from him as could be 
crowded into the season. Jack went ; Emmy was alone with a respon- 
sibility she scarcely knew how to meet, as her true mate was always 
very attentive to her wants throughout the tedious days of incubation. 
Alone! Who knows the aches of that wee heart? Who shall gauge 
its misery? Thrice bereaved. Poor Emmy! Mrs. Y—— was very 
provoked at her, when at the expiration of seventeen days not an ege 
was hatched. Examination disclosed the fact that some injury befell 
them the third day after Jack’s departure. 

Mrs. Y tried her again. Her mate’s reappearance made her 
radiant. Four eggs again. Jack gone. Dismal prospect! But she 
began to understand now the workings of this mercantile establish- 
ment. Other cages were ranged about the room containing other 
solitary sitters. She conformed to their habits; hatched and reared 
her brood as they did. Then Jack came again. All went well. 


THE PET CANARY. 19 


At the end of the season she, with other superfluous females, was 
put in a cage—too small for their number—hung on the kitchen wall, 
and kept alive there throughout fall and winter. 

Jack was sold, also all the other singers the business dared spare. 
In the spring Emmy was given a strange mate. Mrs. Y had no 
more trouble with her. Sorrow, coercion, example had demoralized 
her. Now comes the singular part of the history : 

Mrs. , the lady who first owned the two birds, was visiting at 
afriend’s house. This friend—a sort of invalid—being fond of pets, 
kept up a small aviary. The month was May ; the birds were in the 
height of nidification, forming a pleasing spectacle. Mrs. was 
invited to inspect the scene. There were twenty canaries, besides a 
collection of siskins, Java sparrows, linnets, red birds, ete. 

Presently Mrs. exclaimed, her finger directed to a pale col- 
-ored female, with speckled wings, sitting on a nest near by: ‘‘ Where 
did you get that bird? That must be my Emmy!” 

“Emmy is her name,” responded the hostess. ‘I purchased her 
last January of Mrs. Y Such a dear little thing !” 

“Ttismy Emmy,then. Mrs. Y had her of me. Oh, my soul! 
there is Jimmy, too! Where did you get him?” 

“T bought him two years ago of Mrs. G , on —— Street. 
Was he a bird of your’s? See how they love each other!” 

Yes, there they were, the true mates so heedlessly separated three 
years before, again united, again truly happy. He had another mate 
in the aviary, but Emmy was prime favorite. 

“T separated them because they were brother and sister,” said 
the guest, after commenting upon the strange Providence which had 
restored the true mates to each other after three long years. 

“T did not know of their relationship,” smiled the hostess. 
“What puzzled me was to see the two so persistent in their attach- 
ment. Jimmy had a mate already. I got her for another bird— 
that green singer over yonder—and she’d have nothing to say to him 
from the moment she was let in here with Jimmy. You see, I mate 
my birds in cages before setting them free in the aviary. It prevents 
confusion ; the wrong ones don’t get together then. But”—with a 
sigh—“it did no good in Emmy’s case; she deserted Harry at once. 
See how forlorn he acts! Poor Harry!” 

“ Had Harry mated with her in the cage?” 

“Oh, yes ; they agreed nicely. They scarcely speak now,” laughing. 


20 THE PET CANARY. 


“Have Jimmy and Emmy raised any progeny this year o” 
“This is their third nest. Come up-stairs, where I keep the 


babies at present, and youll see what they have done. They are | 


first-class parents. Idid fear he’d neglect his duties, having a double 
supply, but he can’t be beat in his domestic avocations |” 

“Wonderful!” the guest exclaimed, a suspicious mist in her eyes. 
“Tdo believe ‘twas wrong to separate them so! Who'd suppose 
the little creatures would recognize each other after so long a time!” 

‘A bird has, according to its size, the finest brain of all the ani- 
mal kingdom, always excepting the human animal,” said the lady, a 
glow of pride in her eyes as they rested on her feathered family. 
“That they remembered each other does not astonish me. I have 
had scores of proofs that they have long memories, also deep attach- 
ments,” 

“Tt 7s wonderful!” The guest’s face wore a thoughtful expres- 
sion. 

Reader, we make no comments. ‘The story is true in every detail. 
You can draw your own inferences, and act accordingly in mating 
your pets. 


RULES FOR MATING. 


Then, as true mates are best off always to be mates, we must be 
careful in bringing the union about, lest it prove disappointing to 
us. They must be matched off very early in January—where you 
have more than one pair—and never allowed to mix promiscuously 
till a perfect agreement transpires, and a nest is called for. Once 


mated, the same pairs will come together each year of their own free 


will, no matter how many companions are around ; therefore, the un- 
matched ones are the only ones that need be taken from the aviary 
and paired off in cages. It is also a good plan to remove the surplus 
males, as they worry the faithful wives with insistant wooing, excit- 
ing the husbands’ jealousy, and challenging them to combat. This 
creates dire confusion, and often bloodshed and death, for the un- 
mated male is fierce unto death in his efforts to win a consort, and will 
take another’s wife if he can by any means get her. Therefore, if you 


wish the aviary to be a model of peaceful beauty, remove the super- 


fluous males to another portion of the premises. 
Handsomer progeny are obtained by uniting the dark with the 
light birds. A green singer with a female of pale colors, or of one 


ey) ee 


THE PET CANARY. 91 


pale, self color, and vice versa—pale-colored singers with rich-colored 
females. In mating two high-colored, or two pale-colored birds, the 
progeny are apt to be weakly and sparse-feathered, sometimes bald. 
The jonquil canary—a bright yellow bird with dark wings and tail— 
mated with a pale female, will give you bright yellow young mostly. 
A bright yellow mated with greenish—not too bright—produces many 
pretty mottled birds, jonquil, and some plain or self colors. Orange 
color mated with bronze often yields the valuable cinnamon-colored 
birds, also other pretty colored birds. 

Avoid mating two thinly feathered birds, as their young will never 
wear smooth feathers. - If you wish to mate a thin-feathered bird, se- 
lect for its mate a very smooth, full-feathered bird. If there be 
pretty marks on the female the young will also be prettily marked. 
If these marks are on the male bird, although the result is quite 
pretty, it is not of so varied a character. 

A gray-crested buff male paired with a nicely-ticked and close- 
feathered female will give dark-crested young, very handsome. 

A green-crested buff male and a close-feathered marked female 
with white lines on her head, gives often silver-crested buff young, or 
crests of mixed golden and green that are very beautiful. Or such a 
male paired with a bright orange-colored mate will produce the much 
prized buff birds with seal-brown crests. 

A green male with a brown or bronze mate yields a hardy brood 
of dark shades verging from a deep green to pale bronze, and often a 
fine cinnamon color. Lovely mottled birds in high colors often 
spring from this union. The handsomest orange-colored bird we 
ever saw was produced by a pair of this selection. 

Never mate two perfectly clear birds, the progeny of such are 
weak. ‘The question is often asked, ‘‘ How are we to procure a large 
percentage of singers?” the desire being generally in that direc- 
tion. 

George P. Burnham writes: ‘It is claimed by some fanciers that 
a young cock mated with an old hen will produce a majority of cock 
birds ; while the reverse—an old male to a young hen—will give 
mostly females. But both sexes being of same age will give about 
the same proportion of cock and hen chicks.” 

While in some instances this theory proves to contain an element 
of truth, it cannot be accepted by those who have given it thorough 
test as an infallible rule. The author, and a few other possessors of 


ae THE PET CANARY. 


private aviaries, have given this subject a most efficient study, practis- 
ing their theories with results such as the most grasping fancier 
would blush to scoff at. In fact the author’s aviary, and also the 
aviaries owned by three other ladies, have been cared for during the 
past three years so as to turn out five to seven male birds to every 
female ; and this too by merely following a common and systematic 
course. 

To the patrons of our little book we gladly give our theories, the 
way in which we practised them, and some figures of the result. 
Acting on the statement—‘“ old hens paired with young cocks will 
produce a majority of cock birds ’—we paired off many of our birds 
for that ultimatum, allowing the rest to match off as they pleased. 
At the close of the season we found the special pairs had thrown off — 
no more male birds than the others ; that several of the old females 
raised mostly females, while some of the others raised mostly male 
younglings. Looking among the younger pairs, we found several 
year-old females had thrown off male progeny almost exclusively. 
Now, why was this? There was an answer visible, 7.e., the quality 
of the mother-bird. Old or young, only those that were of strong 
build and perfect health had given superabundance of male progeny ; 
the weaker females, especially those bought of breeders who reared 
their stock on rather spare diet, gave a majority of females; the 
frailer the sitting bird the more abundant the female nestlings, ~ 

From the above we theorized—“ To raise a majority of singers, 
the sitting bird must be of strong texture and perfect health, the age 
or strength of the male bird being of minor significance as compared 
with her ; though to obtain young of good quality both parents must 
be perfect as to health, and, during the breeding season, stinted in no 7 
way. Acting up to this we selected the hardiest of our stock for 
breeders, and found the proportion of male younglings to far out- 
number the females in all these special nests ; the age of the breeding 
birds proving of no weight in the matter of success. 


CARE OF THE MOTHER-BIRD. 


Our habit has ever been to give the feminine portion of our stock 
the same advantages of care, food, and exercise awarded the more 
marketable singer, beginning in the nesi to foster a hardy constitu- 
tion. This care was well repaid, we found, when the value of their — 
issue was counted up and compared with the progeny thrown from 


i ee ee i, a 


THE PET CANARY. 93 


those pitiful little mother-birds which we had bought of other fan- 
ciers, some of them even being gifts. They were received by us 
more out of pity than because we wanted them, for their owners, re- 
garding them as incumbrances, treated them as such ; and simply 
because their monetary value was so little, and no one cared to keep 
them through the whole year, for the very Christian reason that, pos- 
sessing no great efficiency in song, they failed to repay the trouble. 
But we think the time is coming when bird owners will recognize 
the policy of lavishing equal attention on the mother-bird. We find 
ourselves repaid more than trebly. This very season (1884) we have 
raised, from seven picked females of our own rearing, sixty-three 
younglings, only eleven females in the entire lot. Who shall say 
those females do not repay their care? One bird raised two nests of 
five to each nest, all singers but one. She and her mate are both 
the same age—two years. Her first nest contained two birds only, 
both singers. She is now (June 13th) laying a fourth nest. Several 
others have raised nests composed wholly of singers, 

The following statistics are from the author’s aviary of two years 
ago: 

Bopeep, one year old, matched with Jimmie, three years old, raised 
nine birds, six being singers, three females. 

Topsy, one year old, and Bobbie, three years old, were allowed 
three nests and raised all singers, with one exception. 

Dot and Dick, each one year old, progeny all singers. 

Brownie and Charlie, both one year old, raised one female and 
five singers. 

And Bessie, two years old, and Robbie, one year old, raised six 
birds, two being females, the rest songsters. 

Daisy, a bird reared on the canary-seed and water system by a 
small fancier, was presented to me. She is a handsome buff and 
white bird with a speckled head ; was three years old. Of herself 
she elected Willie for a true mate (she had never been mated), and 
the selection being a good one, was not interfered with. Willie was 
one year old, perfect in health. 

Here, then, was the proper union (as per quotation), according to 
age, to produce a preponderance of male progeny. She, however, 
was of weak structure, and sat on four nests without raising a bird. 
She was too frail to impart the life-principle to her eggs; and when 
she laid the last, fell into a disease common to such birds—the breed- 


24 THE PET CANARY. 


ing cholera. We will speak of this cholera at length in a chapter on 
diseases. 

Yet another pair—both reared on the diet principle—Totty and 
Mack (not of my rearing), she four years old, he one year, raised five 
females and two singers. 

Another pair of similar ages—she four years, he one year—raised 
an equal proportion of both sexes. 

In the three other private aviaries of which mention has been 
made, the statistics run about the same. Age does not seem to sig- 
nify, but a robust constitution does. 

Fannie and Dickie, in Mrs. L ’s aviary, have been in her pos- 
session five years. She is a year Dickie’s senior. They were pur- 
chased of a small fancier who raised all his stock on spare diet. Their 
progeny has been numerous, but the females predominate—four and 
five to every singer. It is an 
unusual instance, however, that 
there should be so great an ex- 
cess, even with such a breed. 

A strange lady called a few 
days since to examine the au- 

Ss thor’s aviary, and complained of 

OL cag yy aaah ee her nck, ho ae ee 

aviary, had on hand nineteen 

canaries; had lost a number while breeding. Said she: ‘My fe- 

males sweat their feathers off while sitting ; the males—many of them 

—moult the year round ; I have two in asthmatic torment ; one that 

faints every day with heart-disease. In fact, my birds seem not at all 
like yours.” 

Inquiry made, learned canary-seed and water was the sole diet 
she allowed, saving a little grated egg when the nestlings appeared. 


And her birds were lousy when bought ; she knew not how to get rid ~ 


of the vermin, but tried to keep their numbers down. Ugh! itisa 
marvel she kept her birds alive. Always lousy—horror ! ! 

How are we to obtain these robust, male-rearing birds ? 

Raise them. Begin in the nest. A bird, like a chicken, if neg- 
lected, or injudiciously treated at the starting-point, will never 
amount to much. There must be no lice to worry either parents or 
nestlings. REMEMBER THAT; and there must ever be a variety of 
strengthening food to feed upon. 


EEE EE EE EO EO ee 


THE PET CANARY. 19) 


THE SELECTION AND CARE OF THE BREEDING-CAGE. 

The customary breeding-cage has a board back. There exists a 
silly notion that no other style will answer. It is a gloomy affair, 
which no bird accustomed to all-wire cages enjoys. We, who watch 
to give our birds a happy life, have grown to dispense with these 
eloomy cages, finding the others easier to cleanse, and more to the 
birds’ pleasure. But the method of breeding in these cages we will 
elucidate along with our proven method. The reader can follow 
which she or he pleases. 

For brevity, we will again quote from Mr. Burnham, his words 
being materially the same as are found in most works on this sub- 
ject. ‘‘ For ordinary breeding the male and female should be mated 
in a roomy cage, in one corner of which a perforated or wire nest 
should be placed. This should 
be covered with soft woollen or <& 
flannel at the outset, and every por- 
tion of the interior of cage, nest, 
feeding vessels, perch, floor, and 
walls should be thoroughly clean. 

‘‘ Let the front of the cage have 


5 FEMALE LESSER. RED POLE. 
a southerly aspect. And from this [From Appleton’s American Cyclopedia. | 


day forward, after it is placed in ieee Pare ted the: Canary: | 


position, it should not be moved, unless this becomes absolutely 
necessary, for good reasons.” 

If to this were added—‘“ And then you will find the parents and 
the little ones wild as hawks, fluttering about in a confusion nearly 
killing to themselves, and all at the unusual act of moving a cage, 
and the fearful proximity of a human face”—the natural result of 
this nonsensical isolation would be before you, and you would cast 
about for some other method in which your affectionate influence 
over your tame pets might not be lost. 

A lady of our acquaintance followed this system last season: the 
cage hung high; no one went near it except to introduce fresh food 
and water. The number of eggs was a mystery from beginning to 
end; the birdlets were never seen until they came out of the nest. 
Then the filthy cage was taken down and cleansed amid a hot confu- 
sion of fluttering, squalling birds. A tiny dead bird was found de- 
composing in one corner; the nest was thick with filth, Phew-w! 
how charming to keep pets in that fashion ! 


26 THE PET CANARY. 


The prettiest and happiest plan is this: A roomy cage, hung in 


the usual pleasant location—where it has always hung, we mean— 
where the birds can be watched and chatted to, the cage cleansed 
daily, or every other day ; being carefully handled of course, as a jar 
"is liable to kill the life-principle at work inside the eggs. They will 
ask for a nest by carrying about bits of thread, paper, or whatever 
they can find, searching for a place to build on; then fasten in a wire 
nest, previously lined with flannel, the bottom warmly wadded with 
batting under the lining. Give them batting, short threads, thrums, 
all they want, until the nest.is complete to the female’s taste. Some 
birds love to line their nests with a pretty color. The author has a 
female who is not satisfied until a sufficiency of pink batting is pro- 
vided, wherewith she lines her nest with an exactness and smooth- 
ness beautiful to see. 

Let nothing be done to the nest that seems nidindeee tae to you. 
Peep into it, praise the little builders ; they soon will become very 
proud of it, and especially so of your commendation. ‘The first egg 
is laid ; they are proud, happy; you are delighted! Peep inatit. O, 
how pretty! See them hop on the edge of the nest and admire it the 
moment you step back. They have a thing pleasing to their mis- 
tress : the fact increases their self-importance tenfold. Another ege: 
you are more delighted yet. A third egg: a third ecstasy on your 
part. 

During incubation catch opportunities to peep at the eggs when 
the sitter comes off for food or exercise. By this show of interest, 
not meddling with nest or eggs, the mates learn to enjoy your at- 
tention, and trust you freely in all you do forthem. If you have 
habituated them to changes, the female will not leave her nest wher- 
ever she be put, but rather enjoys the change. 

Take the cage carefully down each time it is cleansed, but do not 
be over ten minutes—five is long enough—and be sure to have the 
room warm. In a well-warmed room they may both take the usual 
bath, for no harm will accrue to the eggs if the sitter be not cold 
when she returns to them. Her feathers may be wet, but that will 
not matter so long as her little body is warm. 

Thus our sitting birds enjoy their baths regularly, and there has 
never been an ege harmed through the indulgence. The bath is 
always fresh from the well. In a cold atmosphere such a bath is 
almost sure to chill the bather, and, through her, the eggs; there- 


THE PET CANARY. oT 


fore the rule is, a warm atmosphere (70 degrees at least), or no bath 
during incubation. 

If the female has given her nest a rolling lining of batting, it is 
easily kept neat, after the little ones appear, by clipping with scis- 
sors all the filth off the edges. This aid in cleansing the rim of her 
nest greatly pleases the female. She loves everything neat and sweet 
around her babies, and will of herself keep them so as long as she 
ean. A nest of this kind will trim clean till the babes are about 
ready to leave it; should it not, have no hesitation in taking the 
little ones out (take them and the lining all at once), and fitting a 
square of old muslin over it, after laying in a bit of batting in a 
shapely way. Draw the corners back with a basting thread in as 
simple a manner as possible, or fasten them with pins, taking care to 
hide the points, also the heads. 

Renew this lining each day, if necessary, till a desertion of the 
nest renders it useless. In replacing the birds, lift one at a time, 
being careful not to squeeze them. 

These muslin linings may be introduced, should cleanliness make 
it expedient, every day after the birds are a week old. Allowed to 
mature in their accumulating filth, disease is apt to generate. Wild 
birds have no such filth to contend with. Their nests are built of 
rootlets, moss, etc.; the atmosphere, winds, sun, dry the droppings 
in a few moments, and they then roll off, leaving the edges all clean 
again. Hence those careless breeders of birds who mock at this 
womanly fastidiousness by asking, ‘Who puts clean sheets on a 
robin’s nest ?”’ but unveil their ignorance of Mrs. Robin’s neat-kept 
structure. 

There is no mistake: canaries are healthier bred with this care. 

It often occurs the mother-bird will lay again ere the nest is de- 
serted, when another must be fastened in as far from the first as the 
limits of the cage permit, as the babes, if too near, will crawl from 
nest to nest, soiling the new one and perplexing their fond mamma 
by struggling in beside her. Sometimes she scolds them off, but 
generally endures the little plagues without a murmur, considering 
them too tender and precious to be harshly spoken to. ‘‘Oh, mother- 
love, how fond thou art!” 

By this attentive interest you have won the perfect confidence of 
your nesting birds. Whatever you do about them, for them, with 
them, after the first nest, is regarded as all right; and the female 


28 THE PET CANARY. 


will not leave her eges for your proximity. When this confidence 
is attained, haste in cleansing the cage will be needless, as the sitter 
will only quit the nest long enough to bathe, when she will return to 
it and wait your leisure, contented as when hanging in the accus- 
tomed window. It is really worth the trouble to have one’s birds 


educated to these habits. The eggs are less liable to come to harm, 


through the sitter getting angry or afrightened ; and the little birds 
are sure to acquire the parental confidence in you, and be tame. 
The author has a habit of feeding her sitting birds on the nest ; they 
love to have her, will stretch forth their sleek heads and call the in- 
stant they see her approaching with the dish of food. 


CARE OF THE YOUNG. 


When the birdlets are come forth, these tame mother-birds rise 
to the edge of the nest and permit her to aid in feeding them. It is 
a privilege very pleasing to her. Who would find it otherwise? 
Generally, the father-bird comes also to do his share, and it is—‘‘ Feed 
me and I'll feed this one while you feed that one.” ‘Thus are the old 
birds first fed; then all three supply the little open mouths uplifted 
with the twittering cry of hunger. 

The labor of love is quickly over ; the tiny heads fall surfeited for 
a good hour’s repose ; the mother cants her head, surveying the sleep- 
ers with satisfaction, and glides over them with stealthy care. The 
father-bird hops aways to sing a praiseful anthem upon the beautiful 
felicities a wedded bird realizes when educated and cared for by a 
good mistress. y 

Very often it is necessary, in rearing young birds, to take the en- 
tire responsibility of feeding them while yet in the nest. The mother 
may get ill, or die, or acquire a habit of picking them. In either of 
these cases they will die unless the mistress takes them in hand, pit- 
ifully supplying their little wants ; and it is a very easy thing to do 
when once you know how. 

They must be kept in a warm nest and lightly and warmly covered 
until the feathers cover the body, when, except the weather be cold, 
nothing need be put over them. A good mother-bird will not object 
to receiving strange nestlings in with hers if they be near the age of 
her own, and the same breed. She will care for them impartially. 


It is not well, however, to have more than five in one nest, as suffo- — 
cation is liable to ensue if they are crowded. Such mother-birds are ~ 


THE PET CANARY. 929 


not always available, though, and the tiny birdlets appeal to our hu- 
manity. We give them a proper nest in a sunny location—not too 
glaring—and prepare a food of the following: One-half a Boston 
cracker pulverized, one hard-boiled egg rubbed through a colander, 
and about two-thirds of a teacupful of sweet milk. Mix together, 
and boil till thickened, being careful not to scorch it. When done, 
it should be of a creamy consistency, barely capable of dropping. 

This feed, we have found, by years of use, to be efficient, next to 
the parent-birds’ care ; and that the body in its rapid development, 
its tissues and plumage, matures hardily and beautifully thereupon 
without accessories of any sort, save the always employed neces- 
sity, pure water. 

In administering, a flat pine stick is needed, very thin, five to six 
inches long, and about one-third of an inch wide, each end tapering 
to a blunt point. This paddle must be perfectly smooth, of course. 

A slight hissing noise, imitating the old bird’s call to her young, 
will rouse the nestlings, and keep them attentive while, by means of 
the pine paddle, the egg-paste is transferred to the little crops. A 
little practice will enable one to do this with skill, dipping each time 
what a bird can swallow comfortably, and gently inserting it into the 
open throat, being guarded against cramming it in, as birds rarely 
recover from injuries sustained in the throat. Three to five good 
mouthfuls will generally suffice. The feeder will soon learn about 
the quantity to allow. ‘These babes are real pigs, and will overfeed 
if not consistently gauged. Watch the crop, and feed when empty. 
Properly filled, it will take an hour and a half to two hours for the 
food to digest. Very young ones must be fed oftener. A chick fresh 
burst from the shell will, if the paddle be filled and inserted in his 
tiny bill, suck the paste all off, and flutter his feeble winglets for more, 
so palatable is it to birds. 

Feed at early dawn, as the parent-birds do, prefacing the food 
with a drink of water (using the paddle to drop it into the throat) 
and keep it up as often as required tillsundown. Then cover warmly 
and let them rest. 

Birdlets under ten days old must have nothing cold fed them. 
Take the chill off everything at feeding time. A spirit-lamp is handy 
for this. Without such forethought you consign them to death by 
cramps, inflammetion, or wind-colic. When older, their food can be 
taken hot or cold at the feeder’s convenience. 


30 THE PET CANARY. 


The pulp of a well-soaked fig is a healthy and palatable food to 
give them two or three times a day. For this purpose a piece of fig 
may be used which the old birds have picked the seeds from, as no 
seed or shuck must mix with the pulp when prepared. Soak in cold 
water till soft, then scrape with a blunt edge the inner pulp off the 
skin, excluding all fibre or bunches. Feed it same as the ege-paste. 

The egg-paste is loved by birds of all ages. If cooked thicker, it 
may be given the parent-birds freely, as they dearly love to feed their 
young upon it, preferring it to the clear ege. 

A small dishful may be set in the cage two or three times a day, 
taking pains to have it always fresh and sweet. Being cooked in 
milk it sours in a warm temperature ; hence must—in warm weather 
—be kept in a cool cellar between whiles. Thus cared for it will 
keep sweet two days, or longer if heated to a boil each day. Will be 
palatable a full week thus scalded in cold weather; but be careful to 
notice the first taint, lest the birds get sick trying to feast on it. 

In addition to the above, hard-boiled egg, stale bread, and if you 
please, a split fig, along with the customary diet, will be found no 
too great variety during the nesting. 


LOOK OUT FOR SHUCKS AND OVERFEEDING. 


Observe always to discard hemp-seed from the cage so soon as the 
eges begin to hatch, as this seed is very injurious tv nestlings. The 
kernel we never knew, of itself, to harm a bird, but the shuck is 
the part which effegts the bad result. The parent-birds frequently, 
in their haste to supply the hunger call of their young, will swallow 
a bit of the shell, mayhap half a shell, in picking up the kernels, and 


these are disgorged along with other food into the baby-craws, and ~ 


are sure to create stoppage and imflammation. Only last season 
(May, of 1883), I opened two birdlings who had died this painful 
death. The first—ten days old—the stomach (not the craw) crowded 
to repletion, was in a highly inflamed state ; an unshucked hemp-seed 
of medium size covered with chyme stopped the passage, preventing 
the stomach emptying into the duodenum. (I suppose we may use 
the same physiological terms in describing birds as in the dissec- 
tion of other anatomies.) This seed had blocked the passage so long 


several rape and canary seeds, also swallowed whole, had put forth 


sprouts. 


Bird No, 2—nine days old—stomach in same state of inflamma- 


THE PET CANARY. 31 


tion, but not crowded so full; had passage blocked with bits of hemp- 
shucks crowded into a mass and glued, as it were, into a hard sub- 
stance with the chyme, which, while it softened was not sufficiently 
acid to transform them into that homogeneous, pulpy matter requi- 
site for the healthy action which nature, when not too harshly pam- 
pered, is sure to maintain. 

Both birdlings were in good order, plump, healthy, and but for 
the injudicious use of hemp-seed, would have lived to become strong, 
noble songsters. 

If taken in time, nestlings may be saved, when attacked thus, 
by the free use of sulphur-flour and elm-bark. We will mention the 
disease, however, in an appropriate place. 

Sometimes the parent-birds are so assiduous as to overfeed their 
young, who will exhibit signs of surfeit by refusing to eat, and keep- 
ine up—sometimes constantly, sometimes at intervals—a distressful 
tasting which is easily heard by any one in passing by the cage; and 
the only chance of saving their little lives is for the one in charge to 
dose them thoroughly with a mixture of powdered elm-bark and sul- 
phur-flour, in equal quantities, administering plenty of water—as it 
is wanted—pure cold water ; and providing abundance of green foods 
for the old birds to tempt them with. The bark and sulphur must 
be given two or three times daily for a week, and no rich foods per- 
mitted in the cage at all. 

It is frequently advisable to feed younglings, weak from some such 
misfortune, on finely minced raw beef; that which is perfectly lean 
and tender being selected. Let the mistress mix it with sweet cream 


and feed one or two mouthfuls by means of the wooden stick or paddle 


earlier mentioned. Three such meals per diem is ample; one may 
be sufficient. | 

Windy foods, such as cabbage, turnip, sweet corn, etc., should 
never be introduced into a breeding-cage ; but other green foods 
may be given in any quantity. 

A piece of old plaster is a desideratum, as it helps to form the shell, 
and females are less apt to get egg-bound when freely supplied with 
it. Ifthe female sweats in her nest, keep in the water-cup one drop 
each of mercurius and nux vomica, providing plenty of green foods 
and a strengthening diet, as the disease proceeds from an inactive 
spleen and liver. 

Young parent-birds sometimes ignorantly let their young thirst to 


32 THE PET CANARY. 


death. The little ones persist in teasing though their crops are full. 
Tempt the former to supply the nest by often introducing fresh water ; 
or else water the younglings yourself—using the pine paddle—first 
, taking the chill off the water. The old birds will notice the act and 
soon take the responsibility off you. It is also necessary, sometimes, 
to thus teach young parent-birds the need of feeding their newly » 
hatched young. If when a few hours old no food shows in the crop, 
yourself must feed it on some warm egg-paste. The duty will be ex- 
acted a few times only. 

The female that sits heavily on the nest will cripple her young un- 
less they are taken from her very early and brought up by hand ; or 
they may frequently be given into the male bird’s care in another 
cage, where the cages are safe with open doors, the birds given the 
liberty of the room. He, thus privileged, will care for them while 
the female fashions another nest, and will not desert them until fully 
weaned to self-care. _ 

When the birdlets begin to peck, supply them with plenty of soft 
foods, such as stale bread soaked in either milk or water, bread and 
milk, boiled rice in sweetened cream, egg-paste, soaked rape-seed, 
and such other soft food as may be convenient. Canary, rape, and 
millet, may be set in in little dishes the while for the busy little ones 
to work upon ; but a sufficiency of soft foods must be provided until 
the babes are six or eight weeks old, as the little bills are quite soft 
up to that age, and shucking much seed is liable to injure the inside 
structure so as to destroy the clearness of the notes. To bea fine 
songster the inner bill must be perfect. 

In caring for all ages and classes of cage-birds supply fresh water 
daily. Twice a day is none too often. _ 


OTHER USEFUL HINTS. 


Never push a sitting bird off her eggs. Many do this, and after- 
ward wonder why all the eggs do not hatch. Pushing the sitter off is 
one great reason, some of them sustaining a jar as she angrily flies out. 
If desiring to look in the nest, either wait till she seeks exercise, or 
else take the cage carefully down, and leave it a few moments in a 
strange but safe location, when she will be attracted off, and you may 
gaze to your heart’s content. But do not keep her off too long, and 
do not be abrupt in any action. 


THE PET CANARY. oo 


Young males sing most in separate cages. They will do finely in 
a general cage if not kept quarrelsome through lack of plenty to eat. 
Paucity of regimen creates dissension ; yet there are birds who will 
keep a quarrel brewing continually if they have companions around 
them. Jealousy is commonly their fault, and they must either be 
made chief favorite (and that will rile up some other), or put by them- 
selves. Sometimes a little bird will pick its mates—a young female 
is most apt to be the culprit—and it is imperative she be kept alone 
till the fault is forgotten, otherwise she is a spoiled bird for all time. 
She will pick her young to death. 

Now that we have waded through the pretty amusement of breed- 
ing from pet-birds in a private and limited way, we will take a step 
further, and show you how to breed from a large stock in also a pleas- 
ant manner, and with profit and economy. In the first place, select a 
room with a southerly prospect, and have the cages built against the 
wall; one row or a double row, as you please; but let no one expect 
the couples in the lower row to do as well as those above. They will 
quarrel more, be uneasy almost constantly, for it is not in bird nature 
to enjoy the tap-tap of other birds over their heads. So, unless obliged 
to utilize the room in this way, put only one row of cages along 
through the central height, three to four feet tall to two feet wide and 
one and a half foot deep. Between each section there must be a long 
sliding panel for convenience in weaning the little birds. Wire bars 
must fill the space when the panel is removed, and a couple of long 
perches run through to aid in connecting the two sections. When 
the little ones begin to plague the mother-bird, or rather, when she 
gets tired of them and turns her attention to another nest, slip the 
babes into the next compartment, remove the panel, adjust the 
perches, and the father-bird will feed them through the wires until 
they are able to care for themselves. ‘The base-strip between these 
sections must be low, and both supplied with soft foods in general 
dishes—that is, there must be openings left through which the dishes 
are pushed half way. ‘The old birds will eat from one part, while the 
birdlets imitate their example on the other side. We have found this 
the easiest and most satisfactory way to wean younglings. 

We recommend the couples be never separated after once mated ; 
the nests are always a better success where they stay together. Some 
females so resent the removal of their mate as to leave their eggs; 
should they not do this they will be uneasy, take less interest in the 


34 THE PET CANARY. 


nest, and raise only half the eges—if they do that. They are angry at 


approach, will fly about, claw-hole their eggs. In fact, the female 
has many ways of showing resentment for your unkind removal of 
her Dickie, when she longs so much for his care. 

Mr. Rittenhaus says: ‘‘I used to pair my male breeders with two 
or three mates; but I found, on trial, that the best nests—those that 
produced the largest broods—were from the female not thus be- 
reaved. Left to herself, she never raises over three to a nest, not 
generally averaging so many, while the couple not interfered with are 
almost sure to hatch and raise every egg—four, five, and even six. 
Counting up the progeny raised by each method, I discovered that 
the happiest females supplied the stock more numerously, and I have 
striven, late years, to reserve as many males to breed from asI have 
females ; but am sorry to say I cannot always manage to do so, the call 
for first-class songsters being so great. I would, however, recommend 
that matched pairs be not separated while breeding so long as they 
do well and are contented together.” 

There are in market nest-frames of various styles, some to hang to 
the wires, some to catch in by other methods. They can be bought 
by the dozen at reasonable prices. Provide two nest-frames to each 
pair of breeders, and fasten in one as soon as they come to terms. 
Provide batting, cow’s hair, rabbit’s hair, and any fine rootlets obtain- 
able, short thrums of wool, the ripe cotton-pod, the silky milk-weed 
pod, etc. Should some of the male canaries show disposition to pull 
her work to pieces, you will have to deny her the happy gratification 
of building, and yourself fashion the nest. Do not disturb the nest 
after the female begins to deposit her eggs. Such of them as prove 
poor mothers need not sit after the first nest. Their eggs may be di- 
vided to other nests, where they will be adopted, and hatched in good 
shape. By this exchange the number of your stock will be materially 
augmented, and the bother of hand-feeding spared you. As we men- 


tioned previously, most mother-birds will receive two or three young 


into the nest with her own, providing they are near the same age. 
They do-not like to adopt them after the pin-quills begin to burst, 
though, should your stock of breeders be inclined to act wild and re- 
sent human proximity, it will be advisable, to secure safety to the 
nests, to disturb them as little as possible. If there be tame pairs 
among them, and their cages can be so adjusted that the wilder ones 
may observe their ways, confidence will be soon acquired. Where 


¢ 


THE PET CANARY. 35 


the male sings to his neighbor’s wife, thus creating jealousy, a screen 
of white muslin must be arranged between the cages. 

Buy seed by the bushel. The best Sicily canary-seed ranges from 
$3.25 to $3.50. Rape is about the same price. Millet and hemp 
come about $1 cheaper. Do not be liberal with hemp-seed if you wish 
to keep breeding birds in good health. A bit of raw beef, minced 
fine, is better for them, given some three times a week. Buy seva- 
biscuit or Boston crackers by the barrel or half-barrel, eggs in quan- 
tity, and cuttle-bone by the pound. MRiver-sand can be procured by 
the cart-load for about $1.25. And broken bricks—have we men- 
tioned the value of uncolored brick for house birds? They love to 
whet their bills on it, peck it, eat it, and it is one of the best articles 
that can be introduced into a cage. Plenty of bits can be obtained 
for a few cents at any brick-yard. 

When entering this business on a large scale be sure to select 
good stock; have a fine songster to teach the young, and our city 
fanciers will be glad to buy of you at a certain sum per dozen. 


When from earth the song-bird dies, 
The human soul—a-hungered—cries 
Him back again. And Cupid sighs, 
And folds his wings. 
For Hope beside the warbler flies ; 
Love’s sweet dreams with him uprise ; 
Gloomy bodings lose their guise 
The while he sings. 
Sad Cupid, sighing, plumes his wing :— 
‘“No work for me, no birds to sing! 
I'll hence, and let the earth go mad! 
No birds! no birds! ’tis very sad!” 


CHAPTER Y, 


THE AVIARY NIDIFICATION. 


NIDIFICATION: ‘The act or operation of building a nest, and the hatching 
and feeding of young.” — Webster. 


os 
Ey Wa 
in ta a 
‘ " i 


i) KE marvel that so few people have an aviary in their 
homes. What vision prettier than twelve to fifty 
gay little birds fluttering around the green 
2» boughs ofa lifted tree, as one takes rest after 
weary labors? Their nervous flights, merry song, and 
interesting antics, quite charm all else from the harassed 
mind ; and when, at last, you take reluctant leave, your 
heart is ighter, mind brighter ; you feel like a new being ; 
for you have been amused to really forget your troubles. 

The birds are sure to do this for you every time you go 
to them. No amusement is so cheap; none more desirable. There 
are always variations new and interesting to chain the eye and excite 
comment. A living kaleidoscope is that room of feathered pleasure- 
seekers! You never tire of its attractions; neither do the children ; 
and your visitors are always gratified for the privilege of a glimpse. 

Is there an invalid in the family? Then place her—or him—be- 
fore the screen door of your little aviary. How soon pleasant emo- 
tions arise, and the mind is drawn from self! Aches, pains, are forgot- 
ten! Presently a healthful action surprises the long-sluggish blood, 
and a cheery laugh ripples across the pale lips. The invalid shows 
symptoms of returning health. The active magnetic current thrill- 
ing those tiny beings has struck away the steely bolts of that morbid 
mind and infused the whole system—earthy and spiritual—with a 
fresh and healthful tone; for they are creatures of joy, Cupids with 
cunning wings—no dreary influence about them! 

A small home aviary is cheaply and easily constructed in the sit- 
ting-room. It is best in this room, because the family most affect it, 


wy 


THE PET CANARY. on 


and a more uniform warmth is here throughout the winter. It is 
economy to warm the aviary from such room ; besides, the birds best 
enjoy being near the family. : 

One hesitates not to throw out a bow-window for the accommo- 
dation of flower-pots, that are really much greater care to the house- 
wife than a goodly flock of birds would be. Make the bow-window 
a little deeper, enclose the space—squarely with the room—with wire- 
netting on several long frames, the central one hung with hinges for 
an entrance. There must also be screens to the windows, for summer 
use. 

A green tree in the centre of this enclosed space, a few pots of 
tall asparagus or hardy rose-trees, a flock of gay little birds skimming 
about trilling merriest melody. Is it not a fairer vision than rows of 
potted geraniums, ete.? Will not they yield you more solid enjoy- 
ment than the work-creating plants? And you can make the scene 
a, perfect fairy bower if you wish. 

Rootlets that have been previously cleansed and dipped in a pretty 
dye—as grasses are dyed—may be bunched together in any shape 
and fastened to the walls. The birds love to light on them, and will 
build nests in them of the batting, thrums, etc., you may generously 
supply for the purpose. And one must be generous with the supply 
to encourage the builder, otherwise she will insist on the usual arti- 
ficial style of nest, and it will have to be provided. There must be 
on the walls as many knots of roots, or fancy branches, or hanging 
nests, as there are females in the room. 

Hang about two or three tin cages well supplied with foods, the 
doors securely fastened open. It isa better and less wasteful method 
of feeding than the customary habit of littering the floor. Besides 
filling the cups with seed, one or two seed-troughs should be hung by 
the windows, or set on brackets put up for the purpose. Crackers, 
sea-biscuit, stale bread, cuttle-bone, etc., confined between the cage- 
wires, will keep birds, loose in an aviary, so familiar with these com- 
mon prisons that no great resentment is shown when shut up in one ; 
on the other hand, allowed to forget the use of cages, they will evince 
as wild terror in the confinement of one as any wildling fresh caught. 

If the large central tree be one whose living roots have been lifted 
with it, carefully bury them in a large tub filled with earth. Occasion- 
ally watered it will last several months—or until the birds pull it to 
pieces, and they'll not rest much so long as a green leaf hangs. The 


38 THE PET CANARY. 


law of destruction is very fully developed in these little busybodies. 
That which pleases them best is the thing sure to be sooner demol- 
ished. A sheet of zinc should be laid beneath the tub to preserve 
the floor from rot. | 

Cover the floor with clean, dry sand to the depth of at least three 
inches, and it need not be renewed oftener than twice a year; run- 
ning it through a sieve once a month, or less often, will remove all 
accumulations of filth, etc., leaving it clean and wholesome as when 
first entered. 

A good-sized water-trough may be fastened to the window-seat in 
which to set the baths, or, better still, elevated on cross-legs, with a 
perch-rack above, and set in a sunny location. The trough and rack 
combined can be fashioned prettily, and painted in lively chromo 
style, and it forms a handsome ornament as well as an exceedingly 
convenient one. The water is protected by a light table-board cross- 
ing the second tier of perches, On this table-board a tall block is 
fastened perpendicularly, from the top of which extend many swing- 
ing arms with swings and bells attached—a charming little trapeze 
for the birds’ enjoyment, you see, and they do enjoy it right heartily ! 

Something has been said before this about matching birds in cages 
ere freeing them in the aviary, if one is particular to raise handsome 
stock ; being not particular for this result, merely remove the quar- 
relsome ones, and let natural order prevail. Old birds often begin 
laying in January, young ones not earlier than March—and all are 
very earnest in the work up to the middle of August. 

Remove the little birds from the aviary as soon as they begin to 
fly about, as they tease the old birds when at liberty, and many times 
are seriously injured by some impatient singer in whose way they are. 
The females sometimes evince an irresistible longing for their plu- 
mage to line nests with, and will have a pretty youngling stripped ere 
‘the act is discovered. The avaricious little builder ever selects a 
rarely handsome bird for this purpose. The evil may occasionally 
be cured by introducing bright-hued fleeces for her gratification. 
The taste birds frequently exhibit for pretty things is really a mar- 
vellous study when combined with other traits, and a painstaking 
mistress will find pleasure in cultivating it. 

These drawing-room aviaries are a speciality of ours. We would 
sooner dispense with any other portion of the house than the small 
aviary opening off our private apartment. It is built under the piazza 


THE PET CANARY. 39 


roof—a glass closet, seven feet long by five feet wide, perfectly warm 
and tight, and is easily heated by the register, which is situated near 
the entrance. In pleasant weather the window at the end of the 
aviary is thrown open—being made to be thus used—and the birds 
have larger circuit for exercise, as half the piazza, corner and front, is 
enclosed with wire netting, and fitted up with trees, etc., for open-air 
enjoyment. And you may be sure it ts enjoyed ! 

Often the inquiry is made of us—How would we manage a more 
extensive aviary—say of several hundred birds? ‘We reply: Exactly 


. \\; 
ON a 
WS XQyy wv C4 
WY WL 


& a 


Ao uy 


Ay 
x\ Di igs 


—— 
TORS \ 


A BATTEN NEST, MODELLED AFTER BOPEEP’S ARCHITECTURE. 
[From an original sketch by the author.] 


on the same principles governing this small one of one hundred and 
sixty odd, save that the room should be more commodious, the num- 
ber of trees, troughs, and racks augmented ; feeding racks fastened 
to the walls to obviate the accumulation of cages. No great ingenu- 
ity is required to manufacture these feed-racks, as they are fashioned 
on the same principle as the folding towel-rack, the central piece 
being three inches wide, same length as the perches, fitted with boxes 
for seed, and with cross-wires to confine the solid foods in their 
places. 

Trees should be placed through the centre of the room only ; be- 
ing set close to the walls, convenient depositories are formed for filth, 
which is concealed until bad odors arise ; then, of course, it is found, 


40 THE PET CANARY. 


and there ensues a disagreeable labor in the removal. The bunches 
of roots, racks, etc., are neater ornaments for the walls, and the birds 
like the arrangement quite as well. 

If warmed by steam-pipes, register, or stove, boxes of wire-netting 
must encase them, else the birds will meet with fatal accidents, at- 
tempting to light on them when hot. 

Aviaries should be contrived with a view to small labor, whole- 
someness, and solid happiness for the feathered occupants. Filth is 
never conducive to their enjoyment. They are creatures of cleanly 
habits, and appreciate the one who so keeps their domain with a deep 
and abiding affection. 

Canaries will interbreed with the chaffinch, goldfinch, linnet, 
siskin, bullfinch, serin, lesser redpole, citrilfinch, and greenfinch. 
There are also other finches that will interbreed with the canary, 
such as the African cinder, the nutmeg, silverbeak, Brazilian, red 
throat, avadavat, and others, for the finch tribe 1s numerous, and, 
when rightly treated, plastic. To be successful in mule breeding, 
the canary hen, when paired with alien birds, must be out of sight 
and hearing of her own kind. If she has no memory of her own 
kind, she will do as well as when paired with the canary. When 
wishing to raise mules, always conform to these instructions. 

The male progeny of the canary and goldfinch are brilliant song- 
sters, but will be worthless for breeders, being mules. Select a 
canary of very bright colors—clear green and bright orange predom- 
inating—and the offspring will have brilliant plumage. Should there 
chance to be a blaze on the face, the breeder may expect to obtain a 
fabulous price for the specimen. ‘The linnet matched with the ca- 
nary produces excellent singers, but of not very handsome plumage. 

It is generally remarked that the canary is a poor nest-builder. 
Such assertions are not fair, since fanciers have not taken pains to 
test their abilities in the natural direction. She will build in trees or 
tall bushes, and build nimbly if the proper materials are provided. 
Grasses, sticks, hairs, etc., are articles she scarce understands using ; 
but produce the bursting cotton-pod, a few withered leaves of fair 
size, bunches of batting and other fleeces, and—if she has enough of 
them—she will prove herself anything but a “poor builder.” She 
will never tear her nest in pieces if sufficient building material is 
granted wherewith to fashion it exactly to her mind. 

Birds accustomed to artificial nests may never get initiated in in- 


THE PET CANARY. 41 


dependent building. Young females, however, will show ability, if, 
as before remarked, they are provided with proper stuffs. 

Canaries in the aviary are fed on the same regimen as the caged 
bird. Grated egg and cracker is especially adapted to the aviary. 
Set it in in dishes—several of them—as equal division prevents a 
tendency to quarrel; minced raw beef should be allowed once or 
twice a week, or oftener, as one judges best. 


CHAPTER VI, 


HOW TO TAME AND TRAIN CANARIES. 


Si at ee ral ANY consider a tame bird little less than a miracle, 
ENG ay ci nl ; and the trainer thereof rather more than a com- 
is ig; i ri ie mas, coon human. And he is a trifle wiser than the 
dilly a WS »= average human, since he has discovered, and acted 
® ® upon, a fact appertaining to the feathered race which 

few take time to observe, viz. : bird intelligence. 

Once accept the fact of this intelligence, use it as you 
use Other intelligence, and most astounding results will fol- 
low. Canaries can be taught nearly anything ; some even 

have learned to repeat words and sentences. 

The object of this chapter is to advance a few simple hints, by 
which those desirous to own tame pets can form a system of opera- 
tion and achieve whatsoever lesson the mind has fastened on. 

In the first place, study the nature of the bird you would teach. 
No two have the same disposition. ‘They vary quite as distinctly as 
children in this respect, as comparison will affirm. One has a placid, 
sweet nature, and must receive the gentlest of manipulations, cooing 
words of earnest affection. A harsh act, a stormy word, and the 
quiet little creature shrinks from you in terror, and no future patience 
will quite restore the calm trust thus despoiled. 

Another is a wilful, hot-headed rattler, nervous, gleeful. Use him 
with cheerful zeal, whistle, laugh, be pert in chatting to him, and 
never be impatient. A temper upsets his nerves, He will best take 
to funny tricks, | 

Yet another is gluttonous. Sympathize with the appetite, pam- 
per it. Let him hunger for a special dainty, show him a trick, just 
how you wish him to do, and pay him with the dainty. Next time 
he’ll hurry through the lesson as a means of showing what he wants. 
Be sure to let him have it. 


THE PET CANARY. 43 


Another is crazy to fly. Teach the trick and let him fly. 

Another is inordinately vain. Praise him, grow ecstatic. Teach 
the trick and have a rapture over it. Feed him his best-loved dainty 
with such show of adoration as he can but comprehend. He will 
absorb it all as his just due. 

Sometimes, not often, a bird is ugly ; coaxing, patience, love, 
feasting, are no inducement. He must be coerced, made to fear his 
master. Once fairly humbled, he is tractable, but always surly. 

Here is a whimsical bird. Go to his cage, he rushes to the far- 
ther side. Put him in a new position, he'll neither eat nor sing. 
Give him a dainty bit, he takes pains to be frightened. ‘‘ Whimsi- 
cal, obstinate,” you say, provoked at so persistent a disregard of your 
kind attention. He won’t learn a trick; yet he is not ugly. Now, 
what can be done with such a bird ? 

Patience, friend—do not let it fail you. Your industry is not lost. 
Watch that bird from an outside point whence he cannot see you, and 
the reward is apparent. He practises in private all he is taught. 
Humor the oddity. Presently the tricks will get so familiar by pri- 
vate rehearsal he performs them at any time. Then congratulate your 
patience. 

It is needless to occupy more space with these little characters ; 
any one can reach the “true metal” of a bird by watching and pam- 
pering it ; and can teach what they will if patient, gentle, and loving 
toward them. 


HOW TO TEACH A BIRD TO KISS. 


This is very simple. Hold the bird lightly, chatting in soothing 
tones to him till he is quiet, then kiss the little bill repeatedly, still 
soothing him with gentle talk. Kiss the bill again and again, till he 
ceases to struggle in fear of the salute ; then bestow a final one—a 
kiss of approbation ; release him to partake of an enjoyment. Re- 
peat this next day, several times a day if you wish to teach him quickly, 
and he soon resorts to this performance as a method of coaxing, 
opening and closing his bill between your lips exactly as you have 
done by him—so nearly as bird imitation is possible. If he picks 
your lip, do not notice it before him. Never confuse him with more 
than one new trick at a time. 

Never touch the cage of a nervous bird for any purpose without 
first calling the tenant’s attention. “I can’t go near my bird, not 


44. THE PET CANARY. 


even to give him food, without he’s scared half to death,” a lady said 
to us; areal anger in her feelings toward the bird. We explained 
why she frightened him, since when she has adopted the above sys- 
tem of claiming his attention, and finds him always tractable. 

Birds are always busy one way or another, and an abrupt action 
startles them. One may be picking industriously in the cage-bottom ; 
there comes a sudden grasp on the cage, a jerking of it off the hook ; 
his heart leaps, he flutters madly up; a face looms up over him, he 
beats about more frightened yet. Reader, do sudden proximities 
never startle you? Aye, you press against your palpitating heart, 
and angrily gasp, “‘ Why didn’t you speak?” Sure enough; why ? 
Because the person was heedless, just as you are heedless in ap- 
proaching your bird, and in thrusting bits into his cage. 

A call, a whistle, and all this beating about is avoided. 

If you remove the seed-cup, first call attention as you approach, 
let him see your hand, that you mean no harm, then take out the 
cup ; and be particular to show it to him ere putting it back. Like- 
wise, show him the different foods ere touching the wires with them. 

A few weeks of this care will win him to a perfect trust in human 
proximity, when, if you do chance to startle him, the moment he hears 
a sound of your voice, or catches glimpse of you, his fright subsides. 
He seems to think, ‘‘It is mistress ; she won’t hurt a little bird!” and 
goes quietly about his business. Observe this habit of approach if 
you wish to tame your bird, as he never will tame so long as human 
proximity frightens him. Remember this, and gain his trust. 

In holding a bird, do so lightly ; let him settle his feet comfort- 
ably, also his wings. If you wish to retain him some moments use 
both hands, the feet resting on one palm, while the other covers his 
body ; hghtly, remember, they do not bear squeezing. 


HOW TO TEACH HIM TO SIT ON YOUR FINGER. 


Set the cage on a table near where you wish to sit. After a little 
conference with the bird, introduce a finger between the wires near 
the favorite perch, holding it there patiently, yourself occupied with 
book or paper the while. Presently, as it shows no disposition to 
harm him, he cautiously goes up to examine it. Then he picks to 
ascertain its quality, maybe he fights it. That is well; he no longer 
fears it. Pay him; put him away. 

Next day, try him again. He may go farther and light on it, or 


THE PET CANARY. 45 


he may be several days getting thus familiar. Be patient. Once this 
step is attained, vary the programme by introducing the finger in 
other spots. He will soon light on it at any point or angle. Then 
try the door, at first thrusting the finger under it, next time fasten it 
open, blockading egress with the rest of the hand as one finger ex- 
tends within. When he perches on it, draw him forth a little. Next 
time tempt him to the perch outside a little, and soon. In a short 
time you have but to open the cage-door, uplift a finger, and he is 
sure to fly for it ; and he may thus be called to any part of the room 
to rest on the familiar perch. 

Most birds learn this familiarity in a few days, yet there are those 
who will be two to four weeks about it. 


HOW TO EAT OFF ONE'S FINGERS. 


Let him hunger several days for some favorite dainty, say a fig. 
Show him one ; he is elated, but do not let him have it. Spread a few 
of the seeds over the end of your finger, and offer them thus close by a 
perch. Give him time for speculation: he will in time snatch off a 
seed or two ; if he utterly refuses, put him sadly away, leaving the fig 
where he may see it. Next day, try again; hell take one or more. 
That will do. Do not plague him longer ; give him a piece of fig in 
his cage and let him alone till next day. He may feel independent, 
being surfeited, and refuse to pick. No matter, put him away with- 
out his fig; the next day he is sure to pick off all on the finger. 
Praise the act; pay him. After this it is plain sailing. 

Do you wish him to eat off your finger when without the cage, 
conform to the rules by which he is taught to sit on the finger, ete. 


OTHER CUNNING TRICKS. 


To see a bird lay its feathers at a mirror after bathing is a cun- 
ning sight, and is easily taught. First accustom him to a mirror by 
keeping one in the cage ; he soon learns to value it ; then is the time 
to take it away. After a bath, set it in the cage for an hour, no 
longer. When he has thus been robbed several times, he will cleave 
to it the moment it is restored, which must be while he is dripping 
from the bath, and he will keep close by while pluming. To pay 
him, leave it in a little longer. A few days more of this formula, and 
_ he has acquired the habit of observing his reflection during his toilet. 
Never take it away again. 


46 THE PET CANARY. 


A certain lady, owning a pair of canaries, whips them with a little 
stick to make them sleep in the swing together. This is sheer pig- 
headedness! Any one may attain this pretty result by removing all 
the perches as night comes on, when both will take to the swing. 
After a few nights of this precaution, they get used to the swing, and 
will wish to sleep nowhere else ; then the perches need not be re- 
moved at dark. 

A doltish man cut off the tail of a fine singer because he would 
perch at a certain angle, twisting the feathers out of shape. To take 
out the perch was the proper way, as such a bird is best off in a 
swing. The bird never sang after this “curtailing” incident till a 
new tail grew, which it was some several months doing, as I under- 
stand. 


TO TEACH A BIRD RARE NOTES. 


But one at a time, remember, as he gets confused with many, and 
thus will catch none. <A toy whistle, a flute, or a reed is best. The 
bird-organette and the bird-whistle recently patented are getting into 
favor with bird owners as assistants in teaching new notes. Play a 
few notes slowly, watching the bird. Some one will please him, you 
will see. Select that one; play it over and over. You are sick of 
the monotony, but don’t give up. Next day play it again by spells 
throughout the day. Play no other till the bird sings it. Even then 
play no other for several days ; he must have time to practise it with 
variations, or he'll forget it in his interest with the new’selection. A 
young bird will acquire many fine notes in this way, beginning with 
him at the age of six months, or even five months, when the voice 
begins to change, and teaching till twenty months old. Birds rarely 
catch a new note after two years of age, certainly not with such readi- 
ness as a younger one. 

Any bird will sing throughout the evening if encouraged to attain 
the habit. Merely give him a brilliant light, and keep him awake. 
Being used to retire at sundown, he will incline to ignore the light 
for a few evenings, when he must be kept active by attention. Chirp, 
whistle, toy with him. The third evening he will venture to sing ; 
the fourth he will sing more. Nowa bright light is sure to keep him 
roused, and in songful eestacies that seem sweeter heard in the night. 


Where many birds are collected, only one requires this encourage- 


ment; his song will enliven the others, and each little throat will trill 


bd 


THE PET CANARY. 47 


forth its melody. This is all the secret of breeding ‘‘ night-singing ” 
birds. If you buy one of the so-called ‘‘imported night-singing ca- 
naries,” do not get in a habit of leaving him to early slumbers in a 
dark room, or the imported (?) treasure will have to be taught this 
talent over again just as another canary would. 


HOW TO EXPAND THE VOICE. 


Mr. Rittenhaus gives the following: The greater the compass of 
the voice the wider the range of its training. Those laws which gov- 
ern the possibilities of a prima-donna’s vocal education are, in a way, 


Es if 
f AeA 
3 Z Ew “4 A 
2 fh 4 Z 
7) aa) s 2 
= Z p tip “ha wy a] = 3 ¥, = 
Z Hl Z S =a! y 
Yi ay E EM. aia’ Ae = 
y ZZ Bx 
Mi Z ~ ‘ ANE Y 
Wy J Ay j 4 = j AAA Mf 
= fi" CY, es we 4 : 
—— 4 fh 4 Zz “ryfe (i Z 
Pp j Vijite iff Z, Aes by, 7 S 
7 Mh 
ie YH By ZL 
ee IG ° 
y jy Zz Y Z i aN 
y, Yy ‘Z a yy N\) 


Si 


“j 
< 


yy Eh 


P Lo = Sis il / ONS 

Wiig - \\) fi “ce ‘ 

Z WWE 
BLACK CAP CANARY—Female. 


[From an original sketch by the author.] 


applicable to the successful tuition of singing-birds. The prima- 
donna teaches herself to expand her chest by deep inspirations, ete., 
when the muscular system is freshened by repose, and in a conse- 
quent pliable condition. 

We cannot reason a bird into a habit of long inspiration to pro- 
mote this desired result, hence we must attack nature with that com- 
mon-sense treatment which shall render the fibrous body flexible, and 
then, by constant practice on long, trilling flute-notes, test their expan- 
sive powers more and more each day. 

To render the muscular body flexible, a soft diet is absolutely 
essential. Seed diet gives the muscular body compactness of strength ; 


48 THE PET CANARY. 


therefore seeds must not enter—unless we except rape-seed—largely 
into the selected foods which shall constitute the songster’s regimen 
during the first eight months of his life. 

He must have soft diet enough to keep the bowels lax from the 
moment he bursts the shell until eight months old, or till his teacher 
considers him perfect. Boiled eggs, grated with bread or cracker, 
and boiled in milk, soaked rape-seed, etc., are best for the nestling ; 
when able to feed themselves, bread and cracker crumbed in milk 
will constitute his principal food. Some seeds must also be allowed ; 
and a little lean beef (tender), chopped fine, may be given once a day. 
When egg is given, omit the beef. A little wing exercise aids in ex- 
panding the chest-tissues ; but fanciers cannot often afford this lux- 
ury. When permitted, sunset is the hour for the indulgence, as the 
singing exercises are not then interfered with. 

Lax bowels show the muscular system to be pliable, while tight 
bowels betray a flexible tension that cannot be used beyond a certain 
limit. But care must be taken to prevent too excessive laxness. The 
droppings should not be spattery. If they become so at any time, 
introduce a dryer diet till better, or consult the medical chapter as 
per symptoms. 

A variety of other foods may be given, in a reasonable ratio, to 
increase the richness of the blood and health of tissue, as the first 
eight or ten months of a bird’s life involves—and especially when 
educating any given capacity—great vital strain. It is the growing 
period, and if improperly nourished then, the mature bird will never 
amount to much—will not in fact live out half his natural days. 

Eight months have brought the bird to maturity ; the diet may 
now be changed more exclusively to seeds, unless the owner may wish 
to continue to test the capabilities of expansion of tissue, and further 
progress in musical culture ; but we would recommend the diet be 
of a dryer character after eight months, in any case. 


TO PREVENT CHOP-NOTES. 


This is a discipline requiring the close attention and patience of — 


the music teacher. But it pays. A bird cured of chop-notes, and 
faithfully taught with flute and triangle, is worth a generous price. 


The formula—which embraces the rules for developing and expand- 4 


ing tissue—is as follows: Soon as able to feed themselves, remove 


the young songsters out of hearing of all birds given to chop-notes, to ; 


THE PET CANARY. 49 


a sunny room, and range them along the walls in cages that have 
coverings of white muslin, so arranged as to admit plenty of air, yet 
prevent the tenant taking interest in external objects. He can see to 
eat, to hop about ; the sunny atmosphere invigorates his blood ; he is 
in a state to notice and enjoy sweet strains ; and all the more, as they 
are his only pleasure. 

The morning should be given more closely to musical exercise 
than the afternoon, as the birds incline more to practise from dawn 
till noon, singing more carelessly as the day wanes. Mr. Rittenhaus 
says: ‘‘While the baby-warble continues, we give them three hours’ 
exercise in the morning ; only one hour after meridian. But when the 
voice begins to change—some begin in the fifth month, most change 
at six months—then we spend more time teaching and perfecting the 
notes, often passing the entire day in the wearisome task. 

‘‘A succession of twenty or less notes must first be thoroughly 
practised by the teacher, on flute and triangle, perhaps a harp or 
other instrument, till he, or she, is safe to play them in all sorts of 
combinations without introducing others. Six to a dozen of these 
notes must be hit upon for a basis—or common practice—and played 
over and over, bringing in the other notes now and then in judicious 
order, which will not confuse or sound rattling. When the voice 
changes, these extra notes must be played as often as the others, till 
each pupil has them pat ; which he is almost sure to do by the time 
he is eight months old. The teacher will ever be alert to catch the 
first break into chop-notes, and on the instant it is detected the sweet 
guiding strains must halt and drop into a harsh, discordant noise, 
sufficient to drown the chop and scare the birds. 

‘‘ Always let the same discord meet the chop. 

‘When thus broken in upon a few times, the birds will avoid the 
cause. Should some of them persist, however—the discord not proy- 
ing an efficient remedy—the teacher must strike on the cage holding 
the unruly pupil with a long stick, each time a chop issues there- 
from. It must not be done in too harsh a manner, lest he become 
too scared to try to sing again. 

‘Admonish lightly but promptly, and be patient. Time and pa- 
tience are the requisites to achieve success ; for you cannot drive a 
bird, but you can kill one trying to. 

“The teacher must occupy a position which will enable him to 
strike any cage without rising or rustling. The birds must not see 

4 


50 THE PET CANARY. 


him, or the instrument he is playing upon. There must be no sound 
of footsteps, or moving about, to distract the little pupils from the 
music ; not even a whisper. 

‘«‘ At sunset the covering can be taken off the cages, and the birds 
allowed to iook and chatter to each other till bedtime, when the cov- 
ers must be readjusted. If the birds are permitted to fly about dur- 
ing the sunset hour, it will be all the better for them.” Mr. R. 
further says: ‘‘We keep the fibre of licorice-root stripped up, tied 
in little bunches, fastened in the cages of our singers, for them to 
chew upon, and think it has a salutary effect on the vocal tissues. 
We put it in the water-cup sometimes, when the birds incline to play 
with it instead of eating.”—‘“ Ifa bird that has been trained in the 
above manner can receive a couple of weeks of the same instruction 
when recovering voice after his second moult, his song may be said to 
be perfect, in the broadest sense of the word, as there is no period in 
his life when practice 1s so enjoyable to him as after those weeks of 
his first entire silence.” 


FAMILIAR ASSOCIATION. 


It is pleasant to have feathered pets fluttering about one with the 
joyous familiarity with which dogs greet their master, children em- 
brace a parent; and this familiar association can be accomplished by 
a few weeks’ patient care. Clip the wings to a thinness that will make 
flying impossible ; then teach him not to fear you, by conducting in 
so gentle and affectionate a style as to win confidence. Being incom- 
petent to fly, the matter of handling him is simplified, and you can 
teach him any trick, habit, pantomime you please. But in carrying 
out your plans, never omit to repay his docility. 

Birds are most easily trained into pantomime tricks, if they be 
tamed in thenest. They should be taken from the parent-birds when 
about ten days old and reared by hand ; handled as they mature, and 
allowed all the privileges of hopping over your person, nestling in 
your neck, hair, etc., exactly as if they were spoiled favorites, they 
become tractable to almost any degree. But if a little too sportive 
on the wing to meet your wishes, there is a good remedy always 
available, 2.e., clipping the long pennons. 

Birds are peculiarly devoid of hypocrisy. What they feel is at — 
once disclosed. Where they love they fawn ; where they hate they — 
_. fight vigorously. And their instincts are never incorrect. Let a 


THE PET CANARY. 51 


strange person approach their cage, and their conduct will give you a 
clue to that person’s character, or rather, disposition, such as your 
dull faculties would be months in ascertaining. Let one with a 
harsh, unloving temperament creep up to them ever so blandly, and 
they beat about in an excess of terror ; while another, amiable hearted, 
a lover of birds, etc., will be greeted with calm composure. 


UNIVERSITY OF 
MLLINOIS LIBRARY 


CHAPTER VII, 


HOW TO SELECT A BIRD WHEN BUYING. 


Tf, io: a HERE are several distinct varia of the canary : 
’ 4 


il i 8 the German, or short-bodied bird; the French, or 
a ii long-bodied bird ; the Belgian, which is the largest 

f Agi : canary extant, and is also the most amiable of the 
bie species. Then there is the Norwich crest, the Lan- 


cashire crest, and other styles, which are derived from pains- 
taking breeding, such as the London fancy, spangled, ete. 
M Almost everybody is acquainted with the historical origin of 
@\ these home pets, and it is scarcely necessary to repeat it here ; 
~ yet as a book on canaries is never perfect without it, the duty 
is apparent. 

It is stated that, some three hundred years ago, a vessel left the 
Canary Islands bearing a few score of the native birds. When off the 
coast of France a fierce gale struck her ; her fate seemed imminent. 
The humane captain bethought him of the little helpless prisoners, and 
caused them to be liberated. Bless him! That humane act should 
canonize him in the hearts of past, present, and coming ages. Its 
product cheers four-fifths of the world’s civilized homes. Yet no mon- 
ument is erected to his memory !—at least we have never heard of one! 

Freed from the plunging vessel, the birds flew to land, and set up 
a colony in a ‘‘merry green wood.” Soon their delicious melody 
attracted the people’s attention, and straightway every home coveted 
one. In a short time none were left to enliven that wood ; all were 
again in captivity, the hunters of them realizing large sums for their 
sale. Germany, France, and Belgium took to rearing them on special — 
patterns. Germany cultivated the song, France the form, and Bel- 
gium the size—each nation successful in its attempt; eminently so ! 

The native color of the canary is said to be a greenish-gray or 
bronze. 


THE PET CANARY. 53 


The German unmixed breed is five to six inches in length; the 
French unmixed, perfect breed is six to seven and a half inches long, 
with very high shoulders and straight legs ; the Belgian has humped 
shoulders, rough chest, long, straight legs, and attains seven to eight 
and a half inches in length. 

In purchasing a bird, its health is the greatest perplexity. The 
color and song are evident the moment the one is seen and the other 
heard, but an inexperienced eye cannot judge the health so well. 

Observe the feet: if perfectly smooth, the bird is not over one 
year old. Little ridgy circles at the joints indicate the age to exceed 
one year. Should the dealer avouch such an one much younger, do 
not invest, as there is scrofula in the blood; it is lable to attacks of 
vertigo or epilepsy. Set the bird in the sunshine; note the nails and 
mandible: if of a chalky pallor, the blood is impoverished (by scant 
diet), or itis sick. The bill—even of a snow-white bird—must have 
a rosy glow, as must the claws ; and the tiny line of blood extending 
down the nail, and around the bill, must be bright and clear in hue. 
A purple hue denotes the blood thick and sluggish, which indicates a 
tendency to apoplexy. If of a dim and bluish shade, the bird is sick 
—consumptive, maybe. If a very pale pink, poverty of blood, deli- 
cacy of constitution, short life. Therefore, see that bill and claws 
be rosy, the blood-lines in them vivid, lively, as bright as blood-red 
can be. 

A bird should be eight months old ere taken from the proximity 
of the old singers. At that age he will have acquired all thé notes of 
his teachers. To purchase a younger singer is to run the risk of pur- 
chasing a poor singer, as the natural song of the canary is not over- 
pleasing, and has few variations; he is a wonderful mimic, though, 
and must be taught by an old bird. Fanciers, and breeders in gen- 
eral, should select the most ravishing of the singers to teach the 
young ones. Sometimes one hears a melodious singer in the home 
ofafriend. ‘‘Where,” is asked, “can I get a songster like yours?” 
There is but one way, my friend; purchase a bird of from four 
to six months old, and hire this friend to board and lodge him in the 
same room with this fine songster until the little pupil is taught. If 
he be six months old, he will “graduate” in four weeks ; if younger, 


_ he is not likely to get a “diploma” so soon, but he'll have it in time. 


A pair of young singers will acquire more notes than will one 
alone, when without a teacher, as they will each sing to excel the 


54. THE PET CANARY. 


other, racking their little brains, twisting their little tongues, to form 
a new note such as the other has not, and will astonish him. The 
solitary youngster, having no such incentive, develops scarcely a tol- 
erable voice. Thin feathers tell of decline of race. 

Very rough feathers (if not caused by moulting) also infer decline 
of race; likewise disease. If the disease be of the skin it may be 
cured. This is shown by the healthful tone of claws and mandible. 
But if these are pallid, a more serious complaint affects the bird. 

Best select a smooth, thick-feathered bird, with rosy health; then 
no risk is run; and purchase before or after the moulting—after is 
wisest. Dark birds are much more hardy than the light-colored. 
Properly cared for, the dark singers pay no heed to the moulting 
term, but sing as freely and beautifully as at other seasons. A light. 
singer may be cared for so as to sing the year through, but he will 
drop some of his notes for a few weeks, The seed-and-water diet im- 
parts so little strength, the bird thus fed mopes, songless, rough- 
coated, from two to three months. Fanciers assure buyers that only 
six weeks is given to moulting; but all who own birds know ten 
weeks to be the briefest period for light birds, and eight weeks for © 
the more hardy dark bird. We will speak of this season at large in 
the chapter on diseases. 

Make the seller guarantee the bird you buy to be not lousy. 

Fanciers sometimes, ignorantly hoping to create a paying sensa- 
tion, advertise a stock of very slim birds, expatiating on the graceful 
beauties of such a bird as compared with the chunky German breed. 
None but an inexperienced eye acknowledges these beauties, or buys 
one. 

Notice how large the bill looks beside the slender body ; it has a 
distinct seeming from the rest of the head, as if it were an artificial 
bill bunglinely set on, besides being bunglingly made. This feature, 
independent of the pallor, shows at once a system of starvation has 
reduced the body to its slim proportions. Take the pitiful little 
creature in your hand. How frail! how poor! every tiny bone pro- 
jects ! | 

That fancier deserves ten years’ imprisonment for presuming to 
practise his “ brilliant idea ” on those helpless victims ; none of them 
have constitution enough left to live half the years of a bird’s natural - 
life. No fancier has a right to injure a bird’s health experimenting 
with it. Why do not the humane societies look to this? 


CHAPTER VIII, 


DISEASES OF CANARIES. 


J IRDS, when domesticated, like all other creatures, 
are more subject to ails and ills than when in the 
free exercise and invigorating atmosphere of the 
wild wood. Somewhat of the human decline is, 
through association, imparted to household pets. 
Yet, with prudent care for their comfort, pure air, nour- 
ishing food, fresh water daily, generous baths, and exercise 
enough to keep the circulation lively, there is no reason why 
a bird should not live to old age without the need of doc- 
toring. Efficient care is better than remedies. As the old adage ob- 
serves, “‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Then 
give the tiny prisoner all natural benefits possible. 

Pet birds have become the subjects of a large variety of diseases ; 
the original cause lying with inexpert fanciers, who rear them on 
diet so void of vitalizing elements that the system is too weakly to 
be of a positive character, and is, in consequence, susceptible to any 
unfavorable condition, or disease which may invade the family in 
which the frail little pet is located. The germs of disease are ab- 
sorbed into the system of a frail bird exactly as they are absorbed 
into the system of a frail human being. When contagious disease 
enters the town, none dispute the liability of its frail members to 
quickest fall a prey thereto, and if you have such a one in your family 
your first care is to surround that one with every preventive. 

Says Mrs. Helen Francis: ‘ Having studied the nature of these 
birds very attentively for many years, also having studied somewhat 
into the science of simples, I resolved to make myself a capable bird- 
doctor. I feel that I may safely call. myself one, since among the 
quantities of sick birds that have been brought me either to nurse or 


| _Q = Pa aM 
fo as 


ile 


Be 


Cres 


56 ' THE PET CARARY 


prescribe for, very few have died, and those few were too far gone 


when advice was sought. 

“Numerous as have been the diseases coming under my attention, 
I cannot, like some fanciers, declare, ‘There is nothing about the 
canary I do not know!’ for Iam constantly learning something new 
of them ; and I do verily believe there is no ill which the human suf- 
fers that I shall not sometimes meet in the canary. 

“Tn examining symptoms, I have been surprised again and again 
into exclaiming: ‘A child with such symptoms, I should say, was 
afflicted with ——, but how can a little bird have it?’ Again would 
I go over the symptoms. No mistake. Remedies were selected ac- 
cordingly ; the little patient improved. The prescriptions were con- 
tinued until health returned. Some of the cures effected seem almost 
miraculous, the poor little sufferer being too far gone to sit ona 
perch, and would lie quietly in any place where put. 

“T have grown to love my wee patients and the duties of their 
care, and do not err in saying they love me for my care, with a grat- 
itude and a trust in my abilities that is beautiful to see ; likewise 
beautiful to deserve. And I find that the owners of pet birds, after 
once nursing them through a hazardous illness, feel for them a loving 
attachment such as was never before realized. Sympathy for the 
suffermg pet has, like pity, proven ‘akin to love.’ In some way, 
peculiar to the patient's disposition, a real gratitude will be evinced.” 

To show the gratitude and sagacity of these pets, the author will 
relate an incident in her own experience : 

‘“‘Bopeep, a pet female belonging to me, committed the unusual 
act of loitering without her cage till the twilight gloaming became so 
dense she could not see well. She attempted to find the cage, how- 
ever, flew too high, struck the wall, and went tumbling down over 
bracket, basket, chair-back, striking the carpet in a terribly fright- 
ened state, as I entered with a ight. She flew for me, settling in my 
bosom, as in a haven of rest. She appeared weak—faint, I should 
say ; I, attributing it to fright, soothed and put her in the cage. 
Presently she fell off the perch, again showing symptoms of faint- 
ness. Iwas now alarmed ; an accident must have befallen her ; what ? 
She showed me by drawing one foot tight up in her. feathers. She 


had sprained the ankle-joint. It was all red and swollen, paining her — 


terribly. Well, the ankle was rubbed, bathed in warm water, held 
in warm water, etc., all done for it I could think of. Three times 


. 


e 


ys 


’ 


THE PET CANARY. 57 


during the night I rose and repeated the ministrations, each time 
finding her in torture ; the last time took her to bed with me, cosily 
snugeled in my warm palm. She was five days recovering of this bad 
sprain ; was so babyish, all she ate must come from my fingers. 

“The last time this attention was exacted she undertook to 
thank me, and in a most singular manner. I had shucked a few 
hemp-seeds to feed her with, and had beside a piece of fig, and of 
sponge-cake—the only food she would touch while ill—and had fed 
her all she would take. Then, as she sat in my hand, eyes wistfully 
scanning my sympathetic face, a sudden thought came in the little 
busy brain. Perhaps the nurse had better be babied now! She 
thrust her bill between my lips and gave me a good kiss. Bopeep 
is a great case to kiss. Then to my surprise she insisted on feeding me. 
She picked off a fig-seed and crowded it between my lips, punching 
it through with a determined will. Several more seeds followed, I 
sitting passive, curious to see how far she would carry the idea. 
Three hemp-seeds went after the fig-seed, and then—then—Reader, 
she filled her crop with sponge-cake and manifested a desire to re- 
eurgitate the dainty into my mouth. Though so loving in her grati- 
tude, that was a feat I felt unequal to.. I told her I was full to satiety 
with hemp- and fig-seed, and could not, by any means, take the cake. 
The refusal hurt her feelings for a lttle while, till coaxed with the 
first pepper-grass of the season. She has never offered mashed food 
to me since, but is always gentle and loving in various other ways.” 

To be successful in nursing any bird through an illness, unremit- 
ting gentleness, affection, and sympathy are absolutely essential. A 
sick bird is as utterly helpless as a baby; courage is all gone; and- 
pain so terrifies them that death will surely ensue unless there be 
speedy relief, or the nurse is capable of interesting them to forget 
the pangs they have suffered and expect to suffer again. 

Our best medical successes with these despairing patients has 
been in deadéning the pains with morphia. Without the aid of some 
drug, there is no need to try to save a bird who is hard sick ; but it 
must be used with great caution. To give an over-dose is very easy. 

They recover faster when nursed in one’s hands, the magnetic 
heat of the palm tending to sweat the tiny body, and thereby hold 
the pains in abeyance. They are loath to quit their warm nest after 
learning its comforts, as will be seen in putting them away. Very 


sick birds, if nursed in the hands, must be laid in a warm nest and 


58 THE PET CANARY. 


covered, when obliged to be put aside in the pursuance of other 
duties. 

Men-fanciers laugh at the folly of ‘‘ such nursing for a bird!” the 
life of “a bird” being of little account in their esteem. Ladies, how- 
ever, who own these pets, learn to treasure them, and feel concerned 
if they begin to droop ; will weep bitter tears when they die. With 
these amiable-hearted ladies we have a deep sympathy, and it is for 
their advantage the list of diseases and cures is appended. 

There is sometimes great difficulty in making a sick bird eat, 
particularly one that has never learned to feed from the fingers. 
Then they may feel so ill as to refuse food from any source. In these 
cases, take the bird in the left hand, in a careful clasp in which it 
may settle feet and wings comfortably, yet not escape, and by hold- 
ing a knitting- or tape-needle close to the bill, the matter of forcing 
the bill open is quite easy. The bird picks at the needle in anger, 
catching it in the bill. Now is the time to catch the jaw in firm fin- 
gers, and thus prevent its closing. Held in this position, food in 
small pellets may be forced down the craw, or medicine dropped in. 
Let the patient see what you are doing, else a choking will ensue to 
make matters worse. ~ It is rarely this operation has to be resorted to, 
as most birds will swallow medicine (prepared in water), if dropped 
on the bill, and will pick egg-paste off a stick, when they will touch 
nothing else. They will also eat of figs when very ill indeed, if they 
have in health acquired a love for them ; and figs are good diet for al- 
most all illnesses, as are fresh egg-shells. For this reason it is well 
to teach them the love for figs, by occasionally treating them to one. 
Figs should be split and stuck to the cage-wires, so the seed can be 
picked off, as the bird shucks and eats them as rape and millet are 
eaten. | 

Floury medicines, such as sulphur-flour, ete., are easily adminis- 
tered by rubbing the wings with it. The bird plumes himself di- 
rectly he is released, and in so doing swallows a good portion of 
what adheres to the feathers. When one can do no better, wings and 
tail—the long feathers—may be dipped in medicated water, and the 
bird set in the sunshine to plume itself, or by the fire. 

Never dip a sick bird’s body in cold water. When he feels equal 
to such a bath, he will not need putting in. Should the feathers be- 
come soiled, however, they may be lightly washed off with a soft 
sponge or thin bit of muslin dipped in tepid water. Do not soak — 


THE PET CANARY. 59 


the feathers, lest the little invalid receive a chill ere they dry. Be 
sure to keep him warm while drying, as a slight dampness is liable to 
earry a chill. When bent on this duty, wet the bill before you do 
the feathers. 

A sick bird, whatever the disease, will first make his condition 
manifest by distending the body feathers. He will do this in the 
midst of his song, when hopping about, or when sitting still. A bad 
feeling comes, he draws in a hard breath and distends the body-feath- 
ers ; only once, maybe, or several times in succession. 

No well bird ever does this, except in shaking its plumage into 
smoothness; hence the moment the act is noticed, the condition of 
the bird must be examined into. Do not wait and let the disease grow 
worse, as, taken at once, the illness may be removed in a day, or even 
afew hours. When he droops about on the perch, feathers all bris- 
tled out, he is feeling very badly. 

Look on the cage-bottom—if a bowel complaint has attacked the 
bird the droppings will be of a slimy character, or watery. ; 

Take the bird from the cage, hold the body (after he is quiet) to 
your ear. A rattling in the chest, labored breathing, denotes a ten- 
dency to asthma ; if emaciated also, asthma has really set in. 

A rattling-like rapid swallowing, uneven heart-throbs, and pale 
tongue (no emaciation) denotes a bilious disease in its early stages. 

Note these rules: Examine droppings; examine color of bill and 
claws, the tongue, the expression of the eye; listen at the chest; feel 
of the bowel ; note if the body have a hard bloated feeling, or if it 
be but skin and bones ; note if the bird shivers, 

These simple signs aid greatly in determining the disease. Here 
is a list of ailments, in alphabetical order, such as have come within 
range of our experience. 


ASTHMA. 


This disease is quite too common, and is generally the result of 
carelessness on the part of the owner, though not always so. Colds, 
also illy ventilated atmospheres, bring it on. Long-continued indi- 
gestion will cause it; old age sometimes will. But the period when 
it is most liable to set in is when a young bird is about six months 
old, and is entering the mature state. A severe cold at this time is 
almost sure to bring on asthma or consumption, and a little cayenne- 
pepper is of no avail. 


60 THE PET CANARY. 


(The homceopathic remedies are best in doctoring birds. In a few 
instances we employ the allopathic, as will be seen. And we will here 
state, all who own bird pets should also own one of Boeriche & Tafel’s 
small medicine cases. They contain eighteen vials of medicated pel- 
lets, and cost but $1.50 ; or, if one prefers, bottles may be bought 
separately for twenty to fifty cents, according to size ; or the liquids 
for fifteen or twenty cents per ounce, and for birds must be no 
stronger than in the third dilution.) 

When well seated, asthma is difficult to cure, but the remedies 
and directions below have cured several hard cases. 

Symptoms.—Distending of body feathers, difficult breathing, rat- 
tling of mucus in the lungs, straining, 
gasping, dilated eyes, song broken or 
bubbling, or both; frequently loss of 
song ; paroxysms brought on by fright 
and by changes in the weather, the en- 
tire body shaking and quivering in an 
effort for breath ; the head drawn in at 
= times, or lopping with fatigue. Often, 
‘=< in hard attacks, the bird settles on the 
= cage floor, with chest pressed hard 
against it. In this position do not dis- 
turb him, as excitement increases the 
pangs to such an extent that a convul- 
sive death is likely to ensue—and such 
a death is terrible. 

When panting on the cage floor, the only way to relieve is through 
inhalation. A pastille, or portion of one, burned near the cage—that 
is first covered with a cloth so that the smoke mostly enters the cage 
—will usually give immediate relief. (The pastilles are put up in 
small boxes, and sold by all druggists at thirty-five cents per box. 
The powders which are commonly used by asthmatics are too harsh 
for birds, as is the common saltpetre paper. One box—to use only 
in bad paroxysms—will serve until the patient is cured, if cure be 
possible. ) 

A handkerchief thrown over the cage, on which a few drops of 
ether, or chloroform (two drops), have been dropped, gives quick relief, 
but he must be constantly watched while inhaling it, lest he become ~ 
unconscious. Watch the chest: its heavings grow gradually less, he — 


th 


a a ’ ae ¢ = 


BULLFINCH. 
[May be mated with the canary.] 


THE PET CANARY. 61 


is quiet, shows symptoms of drowsiness; remove the towel or cloth 
fuming the cage, and let him rest. If he begins to eat in five min- 
utes he is in comfort ; if not, try the experiment again. Try it a 
third time if suffering continue. 

Relieving these spasms aids the curative work, as great physical 
weakness is thus prevented. A bird will swallow no medicine while 
in this gasping torment; it is wicked to attempt to force it. When 
relieved is the time to commence the curative work. 

Keep the cage in the sun; keep always in warm, pure tempera- 
ture. Empty the seed cup; he must have no seed but rape, yellow 
mustard, and a little hemp—and these soaked twelve hours, or until 
the kernel bursts the shuck, when they must be set on the cage floor 
ina shallow dish. For one bird, put in soak one tablespoonful of 
rape, one teaspoonful of mustard, one teaspoonful of hemp, in a tea- 
cupful of pure water in which has been dropped two drops of tinct- 
ure of iron. (Wash the hemp ere mixing it in with the other, or else 
soak it alone.) Give half at a time, morning and noon, straining the 
water off, of course, till dripping ceases. 

The box of gravel in the cage must be omitted a few days, lest he 
stir up the dust, and breathe it to his injury. HEgg-shell and cuttle- 
bone will fill its requirement. Fig, cracker, pulverized white sugar, 
stale bread soaked in cayenne-pepper water (a good pinch of pepper 
in half a cupful of hot water, or cold water if hot water is not handy), 
hard-boiled egg, and the egg-paste, are the general foods—allowing 
plenty of sweet apple, or chickweed, or lettuce. Slices of orange will 
do the invalid great benefit, the acid carrying impurities from crop 
and liver. 

(Banana soaked in milk is reeommended by some fanciers as a sort 
of curative ; but we have never dared offer it to such a patient, for, 
being ourself afflicted with this complaint, we have suffered several 
severe paroxysms by simply eating one banana. If too heavy a food 
for us, we argue the effect cannot be much better on a frail bird. 
Yet, for such as may like to test it we will copy the recipe. ‘‘ Remove 
all foods, and give slices of ripe banana soaked in milk for the entire 
diet for a few days, say three or four. Make into pellets, and force 
down the gullet if the patient refuses to eat.” We treat apoplexy 
in the above way.) 

After relief is obtained, and the bird has rested a little, it will 
naturally want food and drink, if the spasm occur in daytime, when 


62 THE PET CANARY. 


the soft foods, soaked seeds, etc., must be ready in the cage for selec- 
tion ; also these remedies: In one cup (the one hitherto devoted to 
seed) let a drop of tincture of iron, a bit of cayenne pepper, and a 
pinch of saffron buds be put, after filling with pure cold water. Keep 

this cup thus supplied until well. 7 

In the other—which is oftenest drunk from—morphia and either 
iodide of potassium or bromide of potassium, the former is preferred 
by us, should be alternated with sulphur and arsenicum (arsenious 
acid) in these quantities: lift a tiny bit of morphia on the point of a 
penknife, dropping it in aglass ; add water enough so the bitter taste 
is barely perceptible (about two tablespoonfuls may be required). Of 
the potassium a small lump, half the size of a small pea, dissolved in 
the morphia water. Fill the cage cup from this (set the remainder 
in a cool place for future use), and leave in the cage about two hours. 
Two or three drinks will be all the bird must take. Then empty this 
medicine back in the glass with the rest. Re-fill cup with fresh 
water, into which drop a tiny dip of sulphur-flour (dip with point of 
penknife), leaving in cage one or two hours, or till partaken of three 
times. Remove; throw out. Now, of arsenicum (homeopathic, third 
dilution) two drops ‘(or five pellets) are introduced into the cup— 
fresh-filled again—and allowed to remain in cage till evening, when 
it is thrown out, and the morphia and potassium—sweetened—re- 
turned. See that the bird drinks of it ere going to sleep. Leave 
this over-night, to be two or three times partaken of in the morning. 
Empty ; fill with sulphur-water—a few drinks. Empty; fill with 
arsenious water, etc., following the preceding day’s directions, always 
keeping cup cleansed and medicines fresh. 

Two or three days of this formula will restore strength and spirits. 
Then discontinue the remedies in this cup, all but the potassium and 
sulphur. One drink of the sulphur each morning (fix over-night) is 
enough. Keep potassium in the cup the rest of the day, and follow 
it up several weeks, each week (after the first) allowing the medicines 
to grow gradually weaker till at last clear water results. 

Should paroxysms recur, begin as at the start; first relieving by 
inhalation, then restoring the exhausted system with morphia, ete. 
The potassium is curative, assisted by the sulphur. Arsenicum re- 
vives the muscles and ligaments, etc., of the weakened internal organs, 
and should always be given while the morphia is used, to prevent 
sudden relaxations. 


SS ee 
7 =..* 
. a 


af 


THE PET CANARY. 63 


This formula has cured many severe cases among the feathered 
tribe. ) 

Give the patient none but washed (or soaked) seed for two or 
three months, or longer, if illness continues. Unwashed seeds, re- 
member, are too dusty for an asthmatic to take in the mandible. 

Whatever of food is craved, bestow it. Cure cannot be effected 
without also restoring physical ruggedness with natural nourish- 
ments. Figs, rape, hemp, and ripe peppers (the little cayenne is 
best) are most relished. Supply them along with the general foods 
until able to fly, eat, sing, breathe as a well bird should do. Give 
plenty of green foods. A little Virginia tar kept in the water-cup 
will frequently cure asthma when all else fails. Ifthe case hangs on 
two months, hepar sulphur, two to three drops in drinking-cup for a 
week or two, will act almost miraculously toward the cure. 

Observe the bird when changes in the weather approach ; particu- 
larly if storms—rain or snow or wind—be imminent; and, as soon 
as the tiny chest begins to heave unnaturally, put morphia and potas- 
sium in the drinking-cup. If this be partaken of the spasm will break 
up, and the storm go by without seemingly affecting it. Thus taken 
in season, the exhausting pangs are prevented, the inhalation of ether, 
chloroform, or pastille avoided—unnecessary. 

It pays to watch for these changes, as the bird gets well quicker 
when spared the exhaustion of recurring spasms. The more thought- 
ful the nursing bestowed the first week, the less the obligations coming 
after. 

A drop of syrup of squills added every other day will expedite the 
cure, but the bird must not bathe the same day he takes it. 


In closing this prescription, we wish to relate a singular instance 
of this disease which transpired in the robin family, as told the writer 
by one knowing it to be true. 

In Windsor, Vt., a beautiful town of farming thrift, on the out- 
skirts is situated a certain tasteful villa, with a broad green lawn 
sloping from the front ; it is broken by a few big maples, and a mon- 
ster oak that stands not far from the sitting-room windows. These 
trees are ever peopled with birds throughout the summer. A pair of 
robin redbreasts had built nests in the great oak for many consecu- 
tive seasons. The family grew to watch their coming as the rigorous 
winter gave way to genial spring, and the robins grew into acquaint- 


64 THE PET CANARY. 


ance (a distant one) with every member, from the master down to the 
plowman. | | 

One thing that made the pair conspicuous was the slow and rather 
cumbrous motions of the male bird. Noone supposed this a presage 
of malady until one morning late in the August of 1861. There had 
been three days of drizzling, foggy rain, which cleared off toward 
the fourth dawning. Glad for the sun’s appearance, the mistress 
of the house rose early for a before-breakfast constitutional on the 
piazza. 

The queer antics of Mrs, Robin, fluttering around under the oak, 
claimed the lady’s attention. ‘‘ Poor thing, some one has destroyed 
her nest!” thought she, and picked her way over the wet grass to see 
if the demolished nest were in sight. Mrs, Robin fled into the tree, 
uttering a wild cry of terror. . 

At the foot of the tree, where he had evidently fallen from the 
branch by the nest, lay My. Robin, gasping, kicking, plunging—ap- 
parently in the last agonies of approaching dissolution. 

Very pitifully the lady lifted him, laying him in the warm folds of 
the shawl she wore—for his glossy coat was all draggled and wet— 
and took him into the house to the sitting-room, where his condition 
was examined into. The eyes were closed, the mandible wide open, 
breath came in anguishing throes; the heavings of the chest seemed 
as if they must burst it. | 

‘At least I can relieve your sufferings, poor robin !” said the sym- 
pathising lady. She crossed the room for a bottle of morphine pel- 
lets which the family doctor, a few days previous, left for her use to 
ward off hysteria with, and, in doing so, passed the open windows. 
Mrs. Robin’s keen eye was alert for a glimpse of her sick husband. 
She saw him lying in that kind hand; the next instant she gave a 
shrill call, and came dashing in through the casement, alighting on 
the back of a chair near by where the lady herself sat. 

The invalid roused a little, answering the wifely anxiety with a 
hoarse accent, then fell back again, more exhausted for the effort. 
Mrs. Robin fluttered over him with whimpering cries of fear. At 
length, reassured by the soothing tones addressed to her, she went 
back to the chair, from thence watching in nervous tremor all that 
was done to her helpless lord. 

To thrust a morphine pellet down the exposed gullet was easy. 
He choked a bit, but offered no resistance. A few drops of water 


THE PET CANARY. 65 


followed. ‘O, I can’t endure this!” sighed the good nurse, after a 
few minutes, the bird’s agonies seeming to increase. 

Concluding he could no more than die, she ventured to adminis- 
ter another pellet, and held to the nostrils the unstopped neck of a 
bottle of chloric ether. Presto—change! he became easier; he 
opened his eyes, sat up between her two palms, gazed about oddly. 
The watchful wife called: he gave a cheerful response. Elysium ! 
Was ever a bird happier than Mrs. Robin! She came nearer, even to 
_ the mantel-shelf, just above her restored lord, and there waited for 
his strength to return. And he was in no hurry to quit his cosy rest- 
ing -place, his nurse was so gentle, sat so still, looked so kind, he 
was not afraid in the least ; only his restoration seemed to surprise 
him, but certainly no more than it surprised the gentle nurse, who 
had only hoped to ease a pangful death. | 

As he opposed the ether, it was set aside ; but two pellets, each 
containing one-fourth of a grain of morphia, were doing a lively 
work. She began to think, “I do hope I’ve not given an overdose! ” 
—worrying much. It would be cruel to widow that loving little wife. 
Great indeed was her love, since it scouted all dangers to keep the 
dear one in sight, coming to share his peril with unflinching loy- 
aity, rather than desert him in a trying hour. 

Presently Mr. Robin chirped a loud, clear note, bursting from the 
easy prison of hands to light on the table, and glad Mrs. Robin was 
there quick ashe. ‘The sun streamed in through the open windows ; 
they sought the sill, and basked in the warm rays, both very joyous, 
loath to depart from the hospitable presence of their benefactress. 

The entrance of the lady’s husband into the room caused a gen- 
eral flight to the oak’s sheltering branches, where the half-built nest 
was waiting. ‘‘ What birds were those ?” exclaimed Mr. , Sprine- 
ing to the window. And his wife told the strange story to him, 
adding in conclusion, ‘‘I do hope that half-grain of morphia won’t 
kill him!” “No fear,” said her husband, ‘“‘if he suffered as you 
say.” 

Nevertheless she kept watch of the pair throughout the day, not 
satisfied till evening, when he still lived, and contentedly went to 
bed in the thickest of the big oak’s foliage. 

From this date those robins evinced unremitting interest in their 
benefactress, often chirping to her from the window-sill when she was 
alone, or had only her husband with her. And several times, during 

4) 


66 THE PET CANARY. 


the two years following, Mr. Robin was glad to swallow the morphia 
pellet she deemed advisable to toss him, for he was sure to betray dis- 
tressing symptoms when a rainy spell set in. 

And after two years he came no more. Where he died was un- 
known. A pair of strangers took the oak tenement. 

This is the only instance we have ever heard of asthma among the 
wildlings. Consumption, though, is quite common. 


BILIOUSNESS. 


This is caused by overfeeding on rich foods, or by the blood stag- 
nating for want of exercise ; sometimes caused by a slight cold. 

Symptoms.—Dull, sleepy eyes, white and swollen tongue, languid 
motions, blackish or slimy droppings, and refusal to eat any food but 
dainties. 

Remove dainties—if the bird has any—and put a pinch of sulphur- 
flour in drinking-cup, leaving it to be drunk from several hours. 
Then two drops chamomilla in its place the rest of the day. Next 
morning, two drops bryony and a tiny pinch of saffron buds; keep 
in all day. Most birds take to saffron readily, yet now and then one 
objects to it, in which case leave it out. 

Before the second night the bird will relish his proper food ; but 
should he not, give a little more sulphur next morning, following with 
bryony. If bowels get very lax, stop the sulphur and bryony, giving 
chamomilla instead. If prostration ensue (which is unusual), give 
arsenicum with chamomilla. Soak bread in black-pepper water as an 
addition to usual food when doctoring for laxness, 

A few days according to the above will set all right ; then be more 
careful to not expose the pet to a like ailment. 

A little extra green food often remedies a slight attack, but is not 
so thoroughly cleansing to the blood as the prescription is. 


BREEDING CHOLERA. 


This disease belongs more distinctly to the female than to the male 
bird, and is caused by excessive weakness in ovaries and other procre- 
ative organs. None but very frail birds are liable to have it, and it is 
generally considered incurable. Fanciers say a bird with this cholera 
has got its death-warrant, and there’s no use trying to doctor it. We 
did not think so when a little pet suffering with the disease was 
brought to our notice, but we resolved to try what could be done at 


Tee SO CUCU 


q 
: 

, 
~~ 


THE PET CANARY. 67 


least. Our pains were rewarded ; the bird got well, and is alive and 
well to-day. The cure was looked on as a wonder. We have had the 
happiness since of saving other valuable and cherished pets with the 
same prescription. ‘That people may no more have reason to say, 
“Our little bird laid herself to death!” we give it to the general pub- 
lic, sincerely hoping they will use it with faithful care as to direc- 
tions, whenever these symptoms follow after the laying of the last 
nest, or should they arise at any time during the breeding season. 
Symptoms.—Great weakness and emaciation, pallid bill and claws, 
drooping and squatting about, with closing eyes, frequent shudders, 
thirstiness, slimy and watery discharges that soon become unceasing 
and of an intensely inflammatory character, keeping the tail feathers 
wet with their dripping. These inflammatory drippings seem to cause 


no pain, only an unconquerable languor and prostration. The bowels 


have a collapsed appearance. Verily it is a fearful illness! all the 
vital forces of the little body being sapped away. 

Consumed with an almost unquenchable thirst, the invalid is glad 
to swallow whatever liquids are dropped on her bill. Should she re- 
fuse to take the medicines, there is no hope for her; but the nurse 
must devise means of making her. 

There are three prescriptions, which must be given alternately, as 
often as twenty to thirty minutes, until the bowels regain self- 
control, when the patient will be able to help herself to them, as per 
directions. 

First Prescription.—A syrup of five drops of spirits of camphor, 
two teaspoonfuls of pulverized white sugar, in one tablespoonful of 
fresh water. 

Second Prescription.—Aconite, two drops ; phosphorus, two drops ; 
arsenicum, two drops; tincture of iron, one drop; half a tumbler of 
fresh water. 

A tiny bit of morphia, in water sufficient to tone the bitter taste 
to acceptable agreeability, is given a few times with the second. 

Third Prescription.—Half a teaspoonful of table-salt, dissolved in 
two tablespoonfuls of fresh water, half a teaspoonful of wheat flour 
stirred in. 

The invalid must be kept very warm, sweating ; this is best effected 
by holding in the nurse’s hands. A warm flannelnest should be pre- 
pared to receive her when obliged to put her out of the hands. 
Covered lightly and warmly, the nest being in a quiet spot, she 


68 THE PET CANARY. 


will not move until disturbed by her nurse so long as the disease is — 
raging. 

Prescription No. 1 must be first given by dropping on the bill 
until several drops have been swallowed. Keep sweating, if possible. 

In fifteen minutes give several drops of the morphia water, follow- 
ing with some of Prescription No. 2. Keep up the perspiration. 

In fifteen minutes, give Prescriptions No. 3 and No. 1. 

In twenty minutes, No. 2 again, beginning with the morphia as 
before. | 
In twenty minutes, No. 1, following with No. 3 in twenty minutes 
more. 

In thirty minutes, No. 2and the morphia. Continue each in thirty 
minutes, as per order, keeping up perspiration all the while, watching 
symptoms to regulate by. 

Offer food every time medicine is given ; as soon as she can she will 
partake. The egg-paste, sweetened and salted a little (not to hurt the 
flavor), will be most acceptable in her prostrate state. A split fig 
and some sponge-cake may also be used to tempt her with. Let her 
eat of them all she can. 

If green blackberry leaves can be obtained, let her eat of them as 
freely as she will. As soon as she is able to plume herself a little, keep 
dry wheat flour on the wings, a little salt having been mixed with it. 
At this period No: 3 may be omitted, the flour and salt taking its 
place, and the drizzling from the bowels will have stopped. But do 
not look for this improvement under twenty-four hours, if very ill. 

The morphia may also be dropped at this stage, or given only at 
night and dawn, or as symptoms call for it. If, in her cage, she in- 
clines to cuddle on the floor, and the discharges are watery again, give 
the morphia and the three prescriptions over again. They will not 
recur more than once or twice after the first decided improvement. 

Prepare the cage for this invalid with varieties to tempt an appe- 
tite in this way: Stale bread, soaked in black-pepper water, and set 
between the wires; a dry cracker, some raisins, sponge-cake, some 
pulverized white sugar, some dry flour, a strip of salt fish tied to the 
wires (if not objectionable to her, as it is to some birds), but black- 
berry-leaf, if it can be obtained, is better than fish ; the egg-paste a 
matter of course. The usual seeds, etc.; Prescription No.2 in the — 
drinking-cup. | | 

Of these she will select what is most palatable to her. That she 


THE PET CANARY. 69 


eat is essential, otherwise the disease will sap her life in a short time. 
Being very weak, she will find seed-shucking an exhaustive labor; 
they will prove more acceptable soaked to bursting, especially the 
hemp, of which seed allow all she wants, as of other foods. (No lax- 
ative green foods.) 

It will be necessary to keep Prescription No. 2 in drinking-cup 
from six to eight weeks (omitting the arsenicum after the second 
week) ; also to pamper the appetite with varieties of food. In two 
months the droppings will have assumed the natural appearance and 
the bird seem sprightly as ever; but it is a risk to let her mate the 
next season. Best not. The system has received a severe strain, and 
should have a full year’s recuperation ere taxed in any way again. 
And a bird that is worth nursing 
through so hard an illness is 
worth careful consideration after- 
ward. 


CATARRH AND COLDS. 


Catarrh results from taking 
cold. 

Symptoms. —Shght snorting 
or snuffing, as if the nostrils 
were plugged up, or there may be : 
a perceptible running from the CHAFFINCH. 
nostrils. Loss of voice at times. pi. Ce ie 

In the first case, pass a quill (one pulled from the wing will do) 
up the nostrils to open the passage, then occasionally hold a bottle of 
hartshorn at proper distance (not close enough to stupefy) so that 
the pungent odors are taken into the nostril. A few sniffs at a time 
will suffice. (One knows when a sniff is taken by the bird jerking its 
head about, ete. Two to three sniffs only.) In drinking-cup, one 
drop bryony, one drop nux vomica (third dilution). A bit of sulphur 
previously will make the medicines quicker in effect. Then the drops 
kept in cup till the nostrils are clear ; after which—to restore voice— 
one drop phosphorus and a little rock candy. 

For the second case (the running is caused by an inflammation on 
the glands or mucous membrane), a drink of sulphur water. A drop 
of arsenicum, two drops of aconite, two drops of ignatia, in half a 
tumbler of water. Fill drinking-cup. Add candy and one drop of 


70 THE PET CANARY. 


phosphorus if voice is gone. (Of pellets—one each of arsenicum and 
phosphorus, two of aconite, two of ignatia, dissolved in the drinking- 
cup, where preferred to the liquids. ) 

Bread, soaked in red-pepper water, added to usual food. A ripe 
red pepper hung in the cage will warm the craw and bowels of birds 
afflicted with distemper occasioned by colds, and ought to be kept 
in reserve for such purposes, being very rarely allowed as a delicacy 
at other times. 

Colds—distended body-feathers and shivers—may be relieved by 
a little hoarhound candy and a drop or two of aconite in drinking- 
cup, a red pepper (cayenne), will generally cure a light cold. Colds 
should never be neglected ; if they are, mischief is sure to result. 


CONSTIPATION. 


Constipation is noticed when the bird strains to eject the excre- 
ment ; the droppings are sticky, hard, or crumbly. To remedy, put 
a pinch of sulphur in drinking-cup for half a day. Remove for clear 
water. Next day, a pinch of saffron in the cup; keep the saffron in 
until well. Frequently a little green food will remove the difficulty 
without resorting to medicines. Nux vomica will cure bad cases of 
constipation—a drop in water-cup for a few days. 


CONSUMPTION OR DECLINE. 


Feathers are rough and stick out, droops about, eyes heavy, hic- 
coughs as if something stuck in the throat, eats voraciously, especially 
dumpish in cold or damp atmosphere, when the little head seeks a 
wing and the chest heaves ; shudders ; emaciation. 

Let all the seed be washed ; hemp and rape soaked to bursting. 
Stale bread soaked, pressed dry, and mixed with fresh cream. All 
green foods in their season. Tender lean beef minced fine, giving the 
bird all its appetite craves each day, is a great agent in the cure of 
this disease. Figs, pulverized white sugar, yolk of hard boiled egg 
(the white part rubbed through a colander with soaked cracker and 
boiled in sweet milk, to make a paste), and all sorts of good nourish- 
ing food. Stint in nothing the patient enjoys. 

A daily bath, water fresh from the well, a pinch of cayenne pepper 
in it. (Give all the pepper the bird likes.) 

Keep in the sunshine; when there’s no sun, keep by the fire ; 
cover warmly at night. | 


THE PET CANARY. 7 


In one cup—seed-cup—a drop of tincture of iron and pinch of 
saffron in fresh water. A small dish of Virginia tar-water should be 
set in the cage daily for a few hours. 

Aconite, belladonna, phosphorus, of each one drop. (No. 1.) 

Bromide of potassium, morphia sulphate. (As for asthma.) (No. 2.) 

First a drink of sulphur water. Then No. 1 (during the day) in 
the drinking-cup. About dusk change No. 1 for No. 2, leaving it— 
No. 2—over night and an hour or two in the morning, when No. 1 
must be freshly prepared again. 

Keep up this formula till symptoms are much improved, then 
begin to gradually weaken No. 2. When No. 2 is discontinued (pa- 
tient on the continuous gain) drop the aconite from No. 1, and form 
the remedy as follows—belladonna, phosphorus, ignatia, each one 
drop, adding one-half a drop of tincture of iron, the opposite cup 
being now used for seeds that have been washed and dried. The 
soaked seeds and other foods must be permitted as long as relished, or 
until health is restored. 

Should appetite decline through physical weakness, give arsenicum 
and china, one drop of each, in the drinking-cup. But if it be caused 
by indigestion, overfeeding, etc., give sulphur instead. 

If the disease be of too long standing to be cured, be merciful and 
keep the tiny sufferer as easy and comfortable as can be with medicine 
No. 2, keeping the bowels open with saffron or sulphur, if the green 
foods fail to doit. It is never too late—if there is life—to try what 
the whole prescription will do. 

Internal injuries sometimes occur by the accidental swallowing of 
a half shucked canary seed, the sharp ends of which pierce the in- 
testine till a sort of rupture follows. The bird eats well, seems to 
have no pronounced symptoms, yet droops much, stops singing, often 
covers its head to sleep. Presently, however, there are unmistakable 
siens of a bad feeling in the bowels; one or two tiny clots of blood 
will be evacuated when it is reasonable to believe the hurt sustained 
cannot easily be healed. 

If, at the outset, a diet of soft foods be given, in which powdered 
elm bark has been freely mixed, the seed will be removed ere rupture 
takes place. A drop of aconite kept in water-cup will help allay the 
inflammation. lm is an excellent remedy in nearly all internal irri- 
tations, and can effect no harm. 


72 THE PET CANARY. 


ae 


CONSUMPTION OF THE BOWELS. 


In this affection may be observed emaciation, frequent droppings, 
often of a watery character, and attended with violent straining, as if 
the ejectment were not complete ; the bowels pale and sunken, while 
the vent, by reason of the straining, will often become swollen and in- 
flamed for a day or two ata time. There is great craving for food, 
fruits and green food being all that will be eaten with relish, and 
these abruptly left as if suddenly satiated. Fresh foods placed in the 
cage will be voraciously examined, tasted mayhap, and then left with 
noticeable disappointment. The disease is rarely curable, as it gener- 
ally approaches with the moulting, at which period nearly all illnesses 
are fatal. 

The following directions have proven salutary, however: A dish of 
coffee—Java—well sweetened with crushed sugar and made palatable 
with cream, should be kept in the cage. After getting a taste of this, 
canaries drink of it readily. Keep a piece of raw beef (fresh) in 
drinking-water. A paste made of the yolk of a hard-boiled egg, half 
a fig, two large raisins, a few cracker crumbs, all chopped fine and 
boiled in sweet milk, will be eaten with relish, and is preferable to 
seed, though soaked hemp and rape may be allowed. Banana may be 
eiven liberally, all other green foods but sparingly. A little sulphur 
or mercurius in water dropped on the bill occasionally to keep liver 
active. Allow all the pulverized crushed sugar, sponge-cake, and figs 
desired ; at most it will be little enough. If the bird refuse all foods, 
it must be made to eat at least every one or two hours, according to 
amount each time taken. The vent, when inflamed, may be touched 
with cosmoline. Iron, phosphorus, chamomilla, a drop of each in 
half tumbler of water, the standard medicine to be given five or six 
times daily, and salt kept in cage to be partaken of as the patient 
may like. 


CHOLERA. 


This malady sometimes attacks birds during the sultry season of 
summer, from the injudicious indulgence of green foods, or by eating 
some unwholesome matter which has been left too long in the cage. 
It comes with sudden virulence ; appetite and song cease together ; 
there is a violent shiver ; feathers all distended ; bill and claws pur- 
plish ; wings drooping ; eyes dull and half closed ; soon a painful dis- 
charge of rice-water appearance ; a trembling fit follows, shivering, 


THE PET CANARY. ie 


gasping, and the bird generally drops of the perch to shiver and 
shake on cage floor, and involuntary discharges begin to run. 

Rapid and thorough must be the nursing, and begun in time, too. 
In fifteen to twenty minutes after the first shiver the disease has pro- 
eressed beyond cure ; in one hour—sometimes less—the bird will be 
dead. 

Remedy No. 1.—Spirits of camphor, ten drops ; crust sugar (white), 
three lumps ; water, two teaspoonfuls. This forms a cold syrup. 

Remedy No. 2.—Black pepper, table salt, of each a good pinch ; 
common white wheat flour, one teaspoonful. Mix in a tablespoonful 
of water. 

Remedy No. 3.—Veratrum album, chamomilla, colocynth, two 
drops (or four pellets), of each, in small wineglassful of water. 

Give first two alternately every three to five minutes (beginning 
with No. 1), till each has been given three times; then give No. 3 
twice, five minutes between each dose. 

Should symptoms indicate improvement, and the bird eat, wait 
five to ten minutes ere beginning again. If unable to eat, keep up a 
rapid administering of Nos. 1 and 2—only three to five minutes be- 
tween—three times each, as before, then No. 3 twice as before, and 
so on; decreasing the frequency as strength returns, offering food 
often. 

There will ensue great prostration for several days. Tincture iron, 
arsenicum, phosphorus, one drop each in drinking-cup, a few days. 
Foods allowed as in breeding-cholera. In a short time the bird is 
as well as ever. 


DIARRHGA. 


This is a common complaint, easily observed by the spattery and 
frequent droppings, the bird often sitting about with eyes closed, 
head dropped forward, as if in a stupor. 

A little black pepper and dry flour, or a blackberry leaf, will set all 
right generally. If of long standing, song gone, etc., phosphorus, ar- 
senicum, chamomilla, tincture iron, one drop each kept in water-cup 
in addition to the above, with plenty of strengthening foods, will be 
effectual. 


DROPSY. 


This is mostly a disease of age, yet sometimes attacks a young 
bird. The body is round and hard; the feet are transparent, and 


74. THE PET CANARY. 


rather larger than is natural; moves about clumsily, leaping from 
perch to perch instead of hopping lightly, airily, as birds naturally 
da in health. Short, quick breathing ; song faint and broken or lost 
altogether. Eats well, but not very relishingly. If the droppings are 
mixed with water, the disease is readily cured by a few days’ atten- 
tive nursing ; if they be not watery, the case is rather more difficult 
to doctor, but may generally be cured by an almost similar prescrip- 
tion to that given for diarrhcea, only given more time. 

The sced must be cleansed of all dust, as asthma is often brought to — 
a chronic form with this disease when dusty or musty seed is eaten. 
In addition to hemp-, rape-, and canary-seed, set in a dish of pearl 
millet. ‘They love this millet and it is good for them. Rape-seed 
and white mustard-seed—one teaspoonful of the mustard to two of the 
rape—must be soaked several hours; and set in the cage each day. 
A pinch of sulphur and of cayenne-pepper in the water-cup ; a pinch 
of saffron and a drop of iron in another cup filled with water. The - 
general food continued, a fig allowed with it, ete. 

The discharges under this treatment become more frequent and 
watery. Watch the bird ; it will begin to droop more, and close the 
eyes as if troubled with nausea, which is the case. No alarm need 
be felt for the excess of water in the droppings, as the object is to 
drain the system. But the instant the bird begins to shiver the med- 
icine and mustard-seed must be removed. 

Do not let the bird get too prostrated ere removing them. Most 
birds will bear these remedies one to two days ere they shiver, but 
some are so frailly constituted a few hours will bring on the chill, 
and if not then attended to, they will not long be able to sit ona 
perch. The patient must not be weakened to this pass; it is un- 
necessary. Keep the cage located where the symptoms can be 
watched, even if it has to stand on the kitchen table. 

The shiver indicates a decided change in the system—toward 
weakness, as well as toward eradication of disease, hence there must 
be a toning up ere the work can go on. 

Let chamomilla, arsenicum, ignatia, aconite, one drop of each, 
be put in the drinking-cup. A pinch of black pepper and a drop of 
iron in another cup of water ; a tiny bit of morphia must be put in, 
unless the bird will eat poppy seed (this to prevent scouring), in 
which case about one-half ‘teaspoonful may be mixed with rape and 
set in. They may make the eater act dozy, but that will not signify, 


THE PET CANARY. Wis) 


if the bowels continue active. Watch the discharges ; when they as- 
sume a fairly solid form, no more opiate or poppy is needed for the 
present. Save for these the two remedies are to be continued a day 
or two, plenty of tempting foods kept in the cage. The appetite will 
increase with the increase of strength, and the bird show sprightli- 
ness, such as has not been seen in several days, mayhap weeks. Yet 
the dropsy is not vanquished. The third day the white mustard-seed 
must be again mixed with the rape ; and saffron and cayenne, a pinch of 
each, in a water-cup; a drop each of apis mellifica, ignatia, aconite 
in drinking-cup ; and keep them in cage till the bowels loosen enough 
to disturb the bird somewhat when the medicines must be changed 
as before to restore a modicum of health. As soon as there's natural 
action to bowels, put away all opiate as before, and keep in drinking- 
cup a drop each of phosphorus, ignatia, and tincture iron ; tempting 
appetite with those foods most acceptable to the tiny patient. Every 
few days set in a cup of water in which is two drops apis mellifica and a 
pinch of saffron; and the patient will soon be rid of the disease, and 
singing joyously as ever. If the symptoms should recur, go over the 
formula again ; but a recurrence is unlikely. 

A piece of old lime (plaster) should always be kept on the floor of 
the cage, and pure chalk, reduced to powder, at times sprinkled over 
the paper carpet with the lime (also powdered) as the nails of a drop- 
sical bird will, without them, become lifeless and twist about, break 
or scale up. 

Old plaster is never out of place in a bird-cage. 

“Tnvigorator ” No. 1 should be given several weeks after the dropsy 
disappears. 


DYSPEPSIA. 


A trouble caused by over-eating or by being kept inactive in a 
too small cage. Symptoms—mopes, distends feathers, refuses to eat 
unless a nice dainty is offered, which is eaten with avidity—a little of 
it—when low spirits or nausea returns, and a fit of moping with half- 
shut eyes recurs. At times there comes a sudden burst of gayety, 
brief as sudden. Tongue pale, bill and claws pale, droppings un- 
natural. 

Remedy.—Pinch of sulphur and cayenne in water-cup for one 
hour—or a few drinks. Throw out; refill, and medicate with nux 
vomica, chamomilla, each one drop. ,Set in another cup of water, a 


76 THE PET CANARY. 


pinch of saffron and a drop of iron in it. Allow exercise, sood plain 
diet ; no dainties. 
Saffron in the water once or twice a week will keep dyspepsia off. 


DYSENTERY. 


If caused by the system being sapped by lice, do not hope to cure; 
if by eating improper green foods—as unripe apple, cherry, berry, 
or other fruits—taken in time, a cure is possible, though the evacua- _ 
tions are bloody. 

If the tongue be all white, a purple line across the roots, a cure is 
impossible. 

As for all bowel complaints, the work must not be delayed nor the 
nurse inattentive. The bird must be kept sweating. 
| Remedy No. 1.—A bit of mor- 
phia in small wineglass of water, 
camphor spirits ten drops, added 
to it. 

Remedy No. 2.—Pulverized al- 
um, a half teaspoonful dissolved 
in a half tumbler of water, heap- 
ing tablespoonful of white wheat 
flour stirred in. 

Remedy No. 3.—-Mercurius, 
veratrum album, colocynth, of 

GREENFINCH. each two drops (four pellets) in 
[May be mated with the canary.] one-third tumbler of water. 

Give No. 1 till several drops are swallowed. In three minutes, No. 
2, stirring it up. In three minutes, No. 1 again. No. 2 in three 
minutes. In five minutes, No. 3. Give again in five minutes, offering 
food between. In five minutes, commence with No. 1 and proceed 
every three minutes as before. Watch symptoms to know when to 
increase the intervals. Soon as bloody evacuations cease, weaken Nos. 
1 and 2 one-half ; make a thick cream of flour and water, making the 
bird swallow of it often. When able to feed itself, keep No. 3 in 
drinking-cup ; keep flour on wings if there is disinclination to eat of it 
inadish. Fill cage to tempt appetite as in the cholera cases. In three 
days, if song is lost and the bird shows continuous prostration, a drop 
of iron and of phosphorus in a second cup of water will help along 
wondrously. 


THE PET CANARY. 77 


Omit Nos land 2 in half an hour after bloody discharges stop, 
having given it very weak, weakening each time it is administered in 
the half hour. 

Owners of these pets should be particular in giving fruits to them 
to see that they are ripe. It is to me a puzzling mystery that people 
use so little judgment in this matter. With some, an idea prevails 
that nothing can harm a bird unless it be rank poison, and think a 
house-bird should be able to discriminate between the eatable and 
uneatable viands placed at its disposal, as wild birds do. To such I 
will say—There is a marked difference in the rearing of wildlings and 
cage pets; the former are taught by the parent birds how to forage a 
living, what is good and what must be shunned; while the latter re- 
lies on its owner for all it has of foods or comforts, trusting the hand 
that feeds to give only what is to be eaten. Discrimination of viands 
is not inherent, but is a lesson transmitted from old to young by 
parental teaching. Even if it were not, one should know better than 
to give unripe fruits to a pet. 

The above formula may sometimes cure where the dysentery is 
caused by an army of lice, keeping the cage scalded clean each day. 
Wheat flour well salted rubbed into the feathers, taking pains to rub 
in well under the wings and thighs and around the neck. None but 
extremely careless or ignorant people will let a home pet get thus 
lousy, as there is no difficulty in keeping clear of them. But this sub- 
ject will be treated at large in another place. 


EGG-BOUND. 


Female birds not infrequently die through being unable to fully 
throw off an egg. It comes in sight and refuses ejectment, the bird 
in misery slowly nearing a death by mortification. Who can stand 
in idleness and let the helpless sufferer die? Yet feware blessed with 
ingenuity enough to relieve her. 

A piece of old plaster kept in a breeding cage for the female to 
pick from will commonly prevent this misfortune ; but if not, take the 
bird in the left hand and with a soft sponge or muslin rag lave the 
body with water hot as can be borne by the hand, till perspiration 
starts well, then rub a little sweet oil over the parts and return to 
nest—which must be where the sun strikes it, or a generous heat from 
the stove will keep her in gentle perspiration. If, after this, the egg is 
not laid in five minutes she must drink of sulphur and nux vomica. A 


78 THE PET CANARY. 


pinch of sulphur, two drops of nux vomica in water-cup ; best prepare 
this soon as the difficulty is observed, so that she may be drinking of 
it to her benefit, as it is a great agent in such a case. Repeat the hot 
ablutions and the oil, rubbing the fingers downward with gentle pres- 
sure toward the egg. 

As a last resort break the egg on the end, and carefully abstract 
the pieces with a pair of small nippers ; a medium-sized crochet-hook 
is of advantage in removing bits which the nippers cannot reach. 

This is a very delicate operation. ‘lo injure the passage is easy. 
The body must be kept laved in oil; a little blown into the passage 
through a quill aids in’ easy ejectment, the bird being: thus enabled 
to throw out all the tiny bits, which otherwise would remain to irri- 
tate, perhaps kill her. When returned to the cage—after breaking 
the ege—wipe from the body all the oil possible with a bit of dry 
muslin. Do not wash if off. 

A breeding female should have plenty of soft foods, lime, and saf- 
fron-water, to keep the bowels lax. A bird inclined to get bound 
with her eggs must have sulphur and nux vomica to drink of while 
she is laying her~eggs. When laid out, the medicines will not be 
needed more until about ready to lay again. 


EGG-STOPPAGE. 


_ Another difficulty which the breeding female is sometimes subject 
to is the stoppage of an egg, internally, several hours, or a day, pre- 
vious to, the natural ejectment, and is more dangerous than the fore- 
going. Her suffering is intense for a space, when she stumbles 
about, beating her wings, gasping, eyes dull and closing, yet striving 
to cast off the sensation of stupor slowly creeping over her. It comes 
presently ; the little head falls hmp, as is all the tiny body; the eyes 
close. She is out of the suffering, but not dead, though the limp 
body lying so still looks lke death, for breath comes be but at 
regular intervals—as is natural. 

She must be kept warm—sweating—the head I iain high, the body 
in a horizontal position, held in the left hand, while the forefingers 
of the right hand—dipped in sweet-oil—are gently pressed (after 
rubbing) on the body just benéath the small ribs, add held thus as 
long as time will permit ; an hour at least, though action may take 
- place sooner. The author once held a favorite bird in this way for 
three hours, the little unconscious head resting on her cheek, as she © 


THE PET CANARY. Te. 


held her upright, fairly sweating herself to keep up a lively perspira- 
tion on the sick pet. And it was lively. Great beads of it rolled off 
the bird’s body on her palm, and thence fell on the kerchief spread 
on her chest. After three hours came the first indications of return- 
ing consciousness ; her mate had called repeatedly ; hartshorn had 
been held to her nostrils many times, but without success till the 
third hour, when the pungent odor pierced to the little brain and set 
it active once more. The eyes opened, dazed and reluctant, closing 
again when the action of the odor was gone, head falling limp as be- 
‘fore. Ten to fifteen minutes’ perseverance with the hartshorn re- 
stored her to feel hunger. Offered several foods; a bit of egg-shell 
was her first selection ; after that a few fig-seed were picked off the 
fiz held to her. She was weak and faint, inclining to fall back into 
the stupor after a seed or two was eaten. She was allowed momen- 
tary rests each time, because of her exhaustion, but the hartshorn 
prevented relapses to unconsciousness. Patience and gentleness and 
hartshorn were the essentials; no other medicine but sweating re- 
quired. She was ten minutes eating a dozen seed and a bit of shell. 
That she should eat was absolutely necessary, therefore, patience did 
not diminish, and was rewarded to see her fly to the cage to roost 
with her mate. 

But she was not right yet. In half an hour the iitetbeuaful symp- 
toms reappeared, the stag gering, shivering, gasping, beating of wings, 
etc., and again was begun the sweating and hartshorn operations ; 
rousing her to partake of water, the. white of a raw egg, shell, fig- 
seed, etc., as often as her exhausted state warranted, for rest was a de- 
sideratum. At length, being obliged to retire, a towel was wrapped 
about the hand she lay in, and patient and nurse went to bed to- 
gether. At midnight—nine hours after the first symptoms—she be- 
ean a rustling that awakened her nurse. She rose to examine her pa- 
tient. Lo! “Chirp! chirp!” the bright eyes wistful, no sign of 
stupor left. She was weak, though, and had to rest often throughout 
the night. Supper fed to her; and she madé a very fair meal of 
it ; wished to enter her cage fies which she did, and sought her 
nest. Then the nurse sought hers again. 

There was no more trouble. The egg was laid at dawn, and she 
was sprightly, happy, hearty as ever. That was two years ago; she 
is living now ; has laid numerous eggs, raised many young birds, yet 
has never since been ill ‘a moment. ’ 


80 THE PET CANARY. 


This experience is related because we have found it the best 
and safest method of treatment. Medicines may be used to prevent 
such a catastrophe, but a bird in a stupor cannot take them. A 
pinch of saffron and cayenne in water is one preventive. Sulphur 
and cayenne in water, a more certain preventive, but is too loosening 
to leave in the cage so generally as the first may be. A drop of nux 
vomica in drinking-cup a few days previous to laying, is the general 
preventive most favored by us. The third day after she commences 
to build her nest is early enough for either medicine. 


EPILEPSY. 


Excessive heat, gormandizing too rich food, great fright, will cause 
these fits. The bird suddenly falls off the perch to lie rigid, or it 
may kick, gasp, choke. 

Dip the bird in cold water at once, and bleed it by cutting the 
hind claw far enough to draw blood, then hold the foot in lukewarm 
water till it stops bleeding. 

Put a little sulphur in drinking-water for a few hours. Throw 
out ; fill, and putin one drop arnica montana. Two mornings sulphur 
one hour, following with the arnica montana during the day. It 
will restore perfect health. Avoid the causes in the future, as these 
fits are dangerous. 


EXCESSIVE FECUNDITY. 


Some females, especially those very dark and full-feathered, are so 
prolific as to lay the entire year. It is trying to the owner of the 
bird, besides being hard for the poor creature herself, as she begins 
the spring in a worn and exhausted condition. ‘To remove the male 
from the cage is generally said to be efficacious in breaking up the 
business, but it is not always so, as we have thoroughly proven. 

The ovary of the female: produces a certain number of eggs, or 
germs of eges, according to the strength, health, and quality of the 
system ; and these eggs must all be thrown off, whether there be a 
mate or not. | 

Diminishing the quality of the blood is the only method of ‘‘ break- 
ing up” we have been able to discover. Sometimes separating the 


mates effects the desired result, by creating a nervous illnessinthe 


system of the female (melancholia, properly speaking), which is de- 
pleting to the blood. But it does not always have such effect. 


THE PET CANARY. 81 


A female of the French breed—one of the author’s—laid nineteen 
nests from March of 1880 to March of 1881, and did not stop there, 
but continued up to August 13th of 1882, when her first thorough 
moulting attacked her, and suspended the multitudinous work, the 
number of eggs summing up 137; number of nests, twenty-seven. 

She raises very large, fine birds, averaging four males to every 
female ; is living at present date, a perfectly healthy bird, as hand- 
some and graceful as any of the young ones around her. Her prog- 
eny, aS may be imagined, is numerous, for a better or more careful 
mother-bird never existed. 

After the seventh nest, her mate was removed, and eges taken as 
fast as lain, in hopes to suspend her labors a period, and give her a 
chance to recuperate. No use. The eges came in quicker succession 
when deprived of the privilege of sitting on them, frequently but five 
days between the last of one nest and first of the next; and this was 
even harder for her than maternal duties. Her mate was rendered 
impotent by his annual moulting, yet we deemed her better oif to sit 
from six to twelve days, although the eggs were not fertile. She was 
benefited, inasmuch as the length of time between the nests was in- 
creased to a reasonable term. 

In January of 1883 she began laying again, as prolific as ever, and 
has not ceased up to date—October 10th—having laid in the interval 
fifteen nests ; number of eggs, sixty-three. 

Has any one a bird to beat her? Ifso, let us hear from you. She 
is clearly worth her weight in gold, estimating her value in ratio with 
the market valuation of the numerous extra songsters she has bred. 

This is the most remarkable case of fecundity of the author’s expe- 
rience, though most of the females in her aviary lay, on an average, 
twenty to forty-five eggs during the season ; those who throw off less 
than twenty are far in the minority. 

There is no remedy to prevent this excessive laying (that we have 
discovered) which will not result in injury to the layer. The blood 
may be depleted by scant food, or some withering, nauseating herb 
or mineral, but ten to one the bird subjected to such treatment will 
not survive the moulting. The best course is to give them clean 
nests, and pLenty of good wholesome food to keep the strength up. A 
drop of iron tincture in the water-cup twice a week will prove bene- 
ficial. Provide her all the green food craved, and let Nature follow 
its course. 

6 


82 THE PET CANARY. 


Let those wishing to raise strong birds and a superior number of ? 
singers care for the females with extra attention; especially give them 
all possible exercise to keep the blood in lively circulation. The qual- 
ity of the female is a more essential point than that of the male where 

*healthful reproduction is desired, yet is the poor little female least 
considered by the general public, whose extreme selfishness manifests 
itself in this direction with a universality not very flattering to our 
boasted humane principles. Birds must pay for their care with extra 
song, or suffer neglect. Ah, well, we have seen husbands who had to 
pay for toleration in their family by handing out every nickel of their 
hard-won earnings to the most thankless of help-meets; and even 
that grudgingly accorded toleration withdrawn the moment they be- 
came—through some unavoidable misfortune—disabled and a pen- 
sioner. The Law seems to read, Pay your WAY, OR DIE THE DEATH! No- 
body—except old-fashioned folk—believes these days that “‘ Love ye 
one another,” and ‘‘ Do ye to each other as ye would should be done 
by you,” was ever uttered except for applause as an exquisite bit of 
sentiment. ‘That one’s hairs are numbered, that no sparrow falls 
without our Father’s presence, must be other bits of “bosh” with 
most people, else stronger fellow-sympathy would so abound that not 
even a little bird (of no special use) would experience neglect because 
created—by God, the Maker—to confer no particular amusement, 
But the breeding-birds, if their owners: did but know it, will repay 
their care ; if not in music, in the quality of their offspring. 

Her intelligence and culture reappear in her progeny in peculiar 
modifications, as traits of character that are very interesting to study. 
The old saying, “ Like mother, like child,” is applicable here as to the 
human race; and the rules governing maternity in the human family 
may be adjusted to them with favorable results. 

The transmittal of traits in character, form, feature, expression, 
etc., also the philosophy of accidental child-marking among the human 
family, is much discussed, and the theories thereof quite perfectly 
comprehended ; but that the same laws govern and act on these 
feathered pygmies is seldom considered. Were they more generally 
studied and practised on the susceptible female bird, plain-looking 
birds would soon be rarer than peculiar and beautiful birds. The 
shock on the female’s system acts with the best result when the 
strange marks are placed on her mate. She will pause in her work 
(nest-building) to assist in restoring his natural appearance, by which 


———— 


THE PET CANARY. 83 


show of interest you may believe the desired effect has been pro- 
duced. 

A pair of dark canaries will raise a handsome brood if a strip of 
white muslin be wound round the male bird’s wings, and he be re- 
turned to his mate in this surprising dress, she not allowed to watch 
the operation, or know of it, till he is in the cage again. 

Other simple devices might be mentioned, but the above infer- 
ence is enough for intelligent genius to work upon. 

That breeding-birds raise a large percentage of light birds when 
kept on soft or loosening foods, is with us an established fact. Even 
a very dark pair of birds will produce light and mottled young mostly 
if given varied and relaxing diet, such as egg-paste, hard-boiled eggs, 
soft bread, figs, bread or cracker and milk, soaked rape-seed, and 
plenty of green foods, being always | 
careful not to invite bowel-com- 
plaints with the selection. 


SWEATING ON THE NEST. 


This is only peculiar to the fe- 
male when incubating; the belly- 
feathers and eggs being saturated 
with perspiration. An inactive liver 


SSS . 


and spleen isthe cause. Giveplenty ‘ANN = 
of green food. Sulphur (homco- 
pathic), one drop in drinking-cup SISKIN. 

twice a week; one drop mercurius Eps pematedi nan the Pears 


in cup each day when sulphur is omitted. Nux vomica, one drop, 
may also be added to the mercurius should the case prove obstinate. 
If belly becomes bare and sore, anoint with cosmoline. 


HEART DISEASE, 


There is little doctoring allowed when afflicted with this com- 
plaint. Care is the requisite. No frightening, no plaguing ; plenty 
of sunshine and strengthening soft foods ; bowels not permitted to 
get costive ; exercise daily; cold bath daily; a little iron or bella- 
donna now and then in water-cup. If the disease belong to a young 
bird it will, if cared for, improve in health at, or soon after, matur- 
ing; but, should a chill touch it in the interval, the bird will proba- 
bly die at that climax. 


84. THE PET CANARY. 


An old bird may also be cured by this same attention, no clog- 
ging, rich foods, such as raisins, cake, nuts, etc., allowed it. 

Symptoms are: palpitating chest, gasping, half-closed eyes, the 
bird sitting very still in the spasms with head thrown back, appear- 
ing to sink as the gasping continues. It must be let alone when 
these spells are on ; they soon pass off; but if they assume the char- 
acter of a real faint, the bird falling off the perch, hartshorn must be 
held to the nostrils and a little camphor-water dropped down the 
sullet. Cut a claw if necessary. 


STOPPAGE. 


A very distressing illness, liable to attack all ages and classes of 
birds. The shuck of the hemp-seed will create it ; so will too close 
a seed diet, too continuous a diet of starchy or dry food. 

Symptoms.—Agonizing breathing or gasping, refusal to eat, eyes 
dilated, droppings either of a crumbly character or like diluted 
cream, and not frequent. As the disease progresses the agonies of 
the patient increase to a spasmodic or convulsive character, the beak 
thrown wide open in the effort to obtain air. A nest bird throws 
itself about in the nest, unable to keep quiet in its torment ; an old 
bird falls from the perch to grovel on the floor. 7 

The moment the gasping commences administer a good dose of 
sulphur-flour and elm-bark (powdered) in equal quantities, mixed 
thin so as to drop into the gullet easily. Give several drops at a time, 
every ten minutes, until relieved. The thirst of such a patient is in- 
tense. Five drops mercurius in half a goblet of water will constitute 
the drinking-water, and must be administered often, or between the 
other doses. Keep the patient sweating. Offer no food till relieved 
and rested ; then let the diet consist of egg-paste and elm-powder— 
one-third elm to two-thirds paste; a little bread and milk, and all 
the chickweed and water-cress craved. This diet for two days, when 
apple, banana, pear, and other mellow fruits, also soft foods, may be 
offered. Minced raw beef (lean), a little each day, will help rebuild 
the shattered strength. Allow no dry foods for at least two months, 
unless a bowel complaint sets in—which is unlikely—when the most 
laxative of the foods must be discontinued ; dry cracker, stale bread, 4 
etc., taking their place till recovered. Administer elm with foodsa — 
few times daily, mercurius or aconite being kept in water-cup until — . 
perfectly well. 


THE PET CANARY. 85 


PIP. 


Pip is caused by a cold and excessive bile, a hard substance— 
originally a bilious fur—collecting on the tongue. 

First give a good dose of sulphur ; follow with bryonia and mer- 
curius, two drops of each in one-third of a tumbler of water. Cause 
the bird to drink of this several times, when the hardened fur will 
begin to loosen at the base of the tongue and may be scraped off with 
a blunt penknife or other fine point. 

We have never met this disease in the canary, but are informed 
it has appeared among them; hence insert the remedy as used in 
curing the mocker, thrush, and other wildlings. 


HICCOUGH. 


Caused by wind in the crop. If the bird will eat well of sugar it 
will stop the cough, otherwise nux vomica, one drop; carbo vegeta- 
bilis, two drops, cocculus, one drop; all in drinking-cup, is sure to 
remove the spasms. Hither one of the medicines may reach it inde- 
pendent of the others ; the three combined never fail. 

Sometimes little birds in the nest suffer from this, the crop dis- 


tended, the body shaken with the spasm. Carbo vegetabilis, two 


drops in one tablespoonful of warm water, one heaping teaspoonful of 
white sugar dissolved in it, a few drops twice or thrice given, will in 
most cases relieve. If this fails, add the other two remedies and give. 


HOARSENESS. 


A little rock candy pulverized and dissolved in the drinking-cup 
will generally be efficient; if not, add one drop of phosphorus ; if 
still obstinate, add to these one drop hepar sulphur. 

Should the case not succumb to these there is something ailing the 
bird more than a common hoarseness, which over-singing or a slight 
cold may create, and symptoms must at once be studied. 


HUMORS. 


Birds now and then betray symptoms of skin humors, the feathers 
falling off nearly the whole year round ; or they may fall off in spots, 
causing the bird to bear a rough and unhandsome appearance. 

A little sulphur in water each morning, being thrown out after a 
few drinks, the cup thoroughly cleansed, fresh water put in, and one 


86 THE PET CANARY. 


or two drops of sepia, this being left for the day. A daily bath—cold 
—in which a little rose-water has been dropped, will soothe the skin 
and thus prevent its further irritation from picking. 

Should the bowels get too lax, omit the medicines a few days, in- 
troducing chamomilla, arsenicum, one drop of each in cup, till 
strengthened ; then use sulphur and sepia again, etc. ‘Touch ulcers 
with a red-hot needle. 

Birds having a skin-disease must have no sweets except an occa- 
sional fig. 


INFLAMMATION OF BOWELS. 


This may be recognized by the bird sitting in a squatting position 
on the perch ; straining to emit its droppings, which are of a glairy, 
watery character. Some birds send out a loud belling ery of distress 
with each emission. Bill and claws pale and cold, or pink and hot by 
turns ; bowels hard and sore, covered with pink veins; pressing a 
finger on them will cause the sufferer to cry out and draw up both 
legs hard against the body. | 

Rub a little sulphur on the wings. In drinking-cup aconite, one 
drop, phosphorus, one drop, chamomilla, one drop, and a little iron. 

Bread soaked in hot water in which is a pinch of black pepper and 
of salt, must be added to usual food. Allow all the white sugar and 
rock candy the bird may lke until quite restored. 

Keep the bird warm and sweating: warm it must be kept. 


INFLUENZA. 

Caused by a cold. | 

Symptoms.—Sneezing, shivering, palpitating, suffocative breath- 
ing, and acts as if something stuck in the throat. Tartar emetic, two 
drops, and a tiny bit of morphia in the drinking-cup until the symp- 
toms are quieted, then throw out and refill: tartar emetic, one drop ; 
aconite, two drops; belladonna, one drop. If the illness be but slight, 
tartar emetic, one drop, and aconite, one drop, will be the only medi- 
cines needed. Red pepper may also be put in cup, and bread soaked 
in red-pepper water kept in cage. Red (cayenne) pepper must always 
be given in cases resulting from colds. Frequently a little warming 
up with it, and a drop of iron in water-cup, will be all required to — 
break up the cold ; but a hard cold must have prompt attention and 
more effectual remedies. 


THE PET CANARY. 87 


IMPOTENCE, OR SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 


In speaking of this disease, the class of birds known as ‘‘ mules” 
are not referred to, but the canary that is, through weakness of the 
seminal organs, unable to propagate. It is a clear case of weakness 
—debility—and not uncommon among birds reared too exclusively on 
sparse diet, z.e., kept on one kind of seed and water, deprived of 
needed exercise, and insufficiently protected against cold. 

It may also be brought on by the hanging of its cage near a pair 
of breeding-birds, whereby the passions are continuously wrought 
upon ; food neglected ; nothing considered but the desire to woo a 
mate. Hach night the eyes are closed with hunger and exhaustion 
preying on the vital system ; soon ensues great emaciation, physical 
weakness, etc., and constant excitation of the propagative organs 
draws an inflammation to locate there. Of course, all birds are not 
thus affected by such proximity, at least not to their injury, but many 
are, and it is a risk to keep unmatched birds caged in the same apart- 


ment with those that are breeding. 


Not long since, a beautiful singer afflicted with this disease was 
brought us to cure. It was a crazy case: he was raving mad for a 
mate ; would kill half a dozen in one season with his mad desire, had 
he been permitted to “‘ work out his own salvation” in his own way. 
Yet mating was no benefit to him: he was powerless to impregnate ; 
his mate lay infertile eggs. It seemed a hopeless case, yet persever- 
ance, proper remedies, proper food and exercise, restored health in 
two months, so that he was able to become the father of two nice little 
birds. He was then returned to his overjoyed mistress, with injunc- 
tions to keep up his system with nourishing foods, etc., such as had 
been used in his cure. Alas! prejudice is too often a powerful ad- 
versary in the fight with reason and custom, favoring the old customs 


_ with acknowledged contempt for the new. Poor little Merry was put 


on canary seed and water, as before, and one month of it completely 
undid all the twelve weeks’ care bestowed by us. 
Symptoms.—Neglect of food, eating barely enough to maintain 


existence ; emaciation ; insatiate desire for a mate, evinced by almost 


unceasing song and calling, and nervous activity ; or by sitting about 
in glum discontent, singing in spasmodic snatches, or not singing at 
all; constant excitation and redness of the private member, which 
often appears below the body feathers in a very inflamed condition ; 


88 THE PET CANARY. 


the discharges frequent, watery, and small as to quantity, drying 

much as water does, leaving scarcely a sign of sediment. Given a © 
mate he woos in quick order, worrying her with his never-satisfied — 
desire in fierce paroxysms that refuse denial; and she is sure to dis- © 
like and avoid him, and thereby excites him to a fury in which she is 
whipped to concession. Thus the miserable pair live in continuous — 
quarrel—she forced to submit ; he meekly accepting punishment di- — 
rectly after ; no satisfaction on either side, and both conscious of the 
fault belonging to him. To imprison a mate with a bird afflicted — 
with this disease is an act of cruelty ! | 

When, after cohabitation, the female turns furiously on her mate, — 
the fact of his impotence is evident, and they should be separated at 
once. 

The impotence of the female can be determined only by the in- — 
fertileness of her eggs—unless she utterly refuses a mate, fighting him ~ 
off, screeching in dismay when he gains a vantage, and throwing her- 
self down like a bird in a fit. | 

To Cure.—The first item is to prepare the system for a good opera- 
tion of the requisite remedies ; to do this a dose of sulphur must be 
given two consecutive mornings ; ignatia, aconite, pulsatilla, iron, one © 
drop of each in the water-cup, as a general medicine to be kept up till - 
the debility is cured. A small camel’s-hair brush must be obtained, — 
with which, dipped in sweet-oil, the private member must be touched 
each time the excessive inflammation attacks it, for the pain renders him 
wild and keeps the nervous system in a shattered state. A few poppy — 
leaves, or some rose-water, should be put in the bath, and set where ~ 
he may enter it a dozen times a day if he wishes. Birds dip them- 
selves often when in this state of inflammation, and the ablution — 
many times obviates the use of the oil. Health returns quickest when ~ 
exercise is free and the mistress or nurse companions and amuses 
him, as the attention thus won causes him to forget the cravings of — 
his disease. | 

The most nourishing diet is required. Soaked or broken hemp- 
seed, all he can eat ; the meats of the shell-bark chopped in bits ; figs, 
fresh bread, milk, boiled egg, sponge-cake, pulverized sugar, banana, - 
apple, lettuce, chick-weed, etc. ; any good wholesome foods may be 
offered that are strengthening, fattening, and not stimulating. Pep- 
pers, peppergrass, mustard, plantain, and that class of foods must be ‘ 
avoided. | | 


_~ 


THE PET CANARY. 89 


One to three months, according to the severity of the disease, of 
this treatment will restore natural vigor to the system; then the 
foods need not necessarily be so varied, but a good, nourishing diet 
should always be provided ; and, if the cawses which lead to the de- 


- pilitation be religiously guarded against, there is no reason why he 


should not acquire old age without another day’s illness. 


LOSS OF VOICE. 


Taking cold, or over-singing, sometimes causes the best singer to 
become silent. If by taking cold, treat the same as for hoarseness ; 


_ if by over-singing, a drop or two of phosphorus in the drinking-cup 


afew days will restore it. If not, some disease has attacked either 
throat or lungs, which must be ascertained by examination, and 
promptly attended to. 

Should the cause be from melancholy, homesickness, etc., the 


_ bird must be pampered and toyed with a few days, and a drop of 


ignatia kept in the drinking-cup ; and he'll come out all right. | 

Frequently birds refuse to sing—sometimes refuse to eat—when 
separated from their mates, in which case the one mourned for must 
be brought in sight of his cage for a few days. 


MOULTING, 


This is a sort of periodical fever, and, though a natural conse- 
quence with all feathered creatures, often goes hard, amounting to 
real sickness. Canaries should be carefully protected from draughts 
and excessive frights while moulting, as colds at this time are hard to 
cure, usually developing consumption or asthma. A hard fright gen- 
erates heart disease. 

Birds are nervous things always, but during the moulting season 
the nerves seem at highest tension, and their whims attain a sensitive- 
ness which none should disregard or plague. . Never stare at a 
moulting bird who does not like to be looked at; the roughness of 


_ its coat shames and humiliates it with a real pain ; and such a bird is 


ever a fine, proud nature, worthy of consideration. 
Again, other birds are indifferent to their appearance; but we 
never yet have seen one that failed to cringe when laughed at. 
Aconite and iron, one drop of each kept in the drinking-cup, is a 
good specific throughout this illness. A very sensitive bird will get 


along better if a drop of ignatia be added to the above. 


90 THE PET CANARY. 


A more varied and nourishing food should be given at this time ; 


daily baths ; the cage hung in a warmer place; and on chilly nights © 


it must be warmly covered. 
Should the moulting extend over a period of ten weeks, a clove in 
the drinking-cup, or rose-water in the bath, will tighten the feathers 


and promote the smoothing off. If askin disease has been devel- 


oped, proceed as in humors. 


MITES. 


These infinitesimal creatures are a pest which all owners of birds 
should carefully, scrupulously guard their pets against. Bird-lice 
propagate with incredible rapidity. Half a dozen will, in one month, 


produce an army sufficient to kill a bird. Think of it, you who in- © 


differently affirm, ‘‘ Lice are nothing; all birds have them ; can’t be 


got rid of,” etc., hundreds of them sapping the helpless victim of 


blood, of life, and only leaving when the tiny carcass is cold in death. 
All birds have them, do they? We say, no! a thousand times, no!! 


No bird will generate lice, if ordinary cleanliness is observed in caring — 


for it; but they may be brought to the bird whose care is choicest, if 
the owner is not resolute in provisioning against the evil, forbidding 


all association of strange birds with the cleanly ones so wholesomely — 


kept. 

To hear of lousy birds in New England is a rare circumstance. 
During the seventeen years in which we kept them there, we never 
saw a louse, scarcely heard of such a thing; but here, in the Middle 


States, our experience for a while was most trying. Our birds were 
thrifty, noble birds, on whom no louse had ever set its devastating — 


jaws ; and friends wishing to obtain a songster often brought in their 
pets, pleading with us to mate them with our stock for that purpose. 


To obtain unrelated blood is a necessity, where one desires to breed ~ 
birds successfully and keep healthful stock ; hence these tiny strangers — 


were gladly welcomed, and unsuspiciously housed with a mate of our 
fine stock. ‘To enter into details of how the lice were discovered, etc., 
would occupy too much space ; suffice it, the strange birds were very 
lousy. They were the sole pets of cleanly families, who were aston- 
ished when informed of our discovery. Couldn’t imagine how the bird 
got them—‘“ Oh, yes, Mrs. So-and-so had that cage a few days; she 


must have put a lousy bird in it ; but how did her birds get lousy?” — 
or, “I had Mrs, Blank’s bird in with mine a short time ; that’s the — 


THE PET CANARY. 91 


only way I can think of; but she’s so nice I don’t see how her birds 
get lice!” And so the excuses went ; lousy birds were plenty, yet 
cleanliness had been practised. Like measles and mumps, the lice 
were caught by carelessly associating strange birds, and by loaning 
or borrowing cages. 

We exterminated every louse on our premises with persistent 
warfare, and since, though we keep a host of birds, lice and they 
are perfect strangers. No strange bird is allowed to come in con- 
tact with them until there has been several days’ trial for the dis- 
covery of a louse. We make this investigation a principle. It gives 
offence at times, but we can endure that far more complacently than 
our pets can endure an army of these voracious mites. It is no small 
task to exterminate them from one bird ; but to rid from fifty to one 
hundred birds of them is a 
vexatious work, which no con- 
ventional politeness will force 
us to risk. Our best and 
nearest friends must submit 
to this rule if they fetch their 
pets tous. And we strongly 
advise all owners of birds to 
follow this practice, and trust 
no one’s word for it that their 
birds are not lousy, as the Serer ier 

> [May be mated with the canary.] 
person making the statement 
may do so honestly, believing it to be true, while the pet is literally 
infested through being exposed to the contact of a friend’s pet, or 
through an exchange of cages. One can’t be too cautious in this 
avoidance. 

If your birds are free from lice, keep them so ; if they have lice, get 
rid of them at once, and don’t rest until it is thoroughly done. The 
best time for this is in summer, when the nits hatch quickly, as they 
may then be exterminated in two weeks. In cold weather the task is 
more tedious—the nits hatch slowly, the bugs are sluggish ; hence 
the job must not be discontinued much under four weeks. We have 
a special and sure way of fighting insects off birds, using sulphur and 
wheat-flour to effect the victory. 

The Persian powder so universally advertised for this purpose we 
are afraid to recommend, having lost over thirty dollars’ worth of 


he Oe 
nee 


92 THE PET CANARY. 


birds at a stroke while trying to cleanse our aviary of the lice which 
an obliging (?) neighbor succeeded in introducing among our birds, 
despite the precautions experience leads us to exact. It was in Au- 
gust—in the height of the moulting season—when the voracious in- 
truders were discovered. Forty birds had been exposed. Persian 
powder was rubbed in among their feathers at night, and next morn- 
ing the sight of those forty little birds, drooping on their perches, 
with heads beneath their wings, was a pitiful vision indeed! and we 
were in dire perplexity, being ignorant of the nature of the poison. 

The apothecary declared the powder not adulterated, and was as 
astonished as ourselves at the effects following its use, himself also 
ignorant of the required antidote. 

Toward noon several of the birds began discharging a matter 
strongly resembling blood, while others took to gasping in terrible 
torments. Then we saw that the poison was irritant, and immediately 
went the rounds with doses of olive-oil—the only oil in the house at 
all suitable for such a purpose. By this means—also forcing the suf- 
ferers to drink a little arabic and elm water, or to eat soft food con- 
taining the mixture—we managed to save those not already in convul- 
sions, or suffering rupture. These latter all died ere the night set in. 
After restoring the survivors, sulphur and flour were used, and success- 
fully, in eradicating the mites. 

Persian powder we cannot but shun as a deadly agent to use about 
birds, though many inform us that they have used it without injury to 
their pets; but we have met no person able to say that they succeeded 
in wholly exterminating the insects with 11. 

One lady said to us, after giving it several thorough trials (so she 
claims): ‘Lice do not accumulate so fast where the powder is used, 
but they manage to propagate some, so as to keep the race from ex- 
tinction. I don’t know why it is, but they will continue to nit on the 
bird in spite of the powder. I bothered with it two whole seasons, 
and at last got rid of the lice by using the prescription of sulphur 
and flour which you gave me.” 


She lost no birds while using it, though some of them were quite 


sick, she informed me; and none of her birds were moulting. 

Our loss becoming generally known, many called to give their ex- 
perience in using the powder. Some declared that their birds had 
never been well since its use ; others that no harm had resulted ; and 
yet others had met the same experience as we had, losing the only 


fi 


THE PET CANARY. 93 


bird they owned, or the several belonging to them, the symptoms 
being similar to those appearing in our brood. 

By close questioning we found that the symptoms were most vio- 
lent among the moulting and breeding birds ; while those on whom it 
had proven not harmful were in full feather and vigorous health. 

In mentioning this subject, we have no desire to depreciate the 
merit of this universally advertised powder. We may have got hold 
of an adulterated lot, as may those other persons who used it with 
such pernicious results. That the birds were poisoned by it is an in- 
disputable fact ; and we cannot conscientiously advise its use, since 
our aim in writing these pages is for the exclusive benefit of the canary 
world ; that, and no other. 

Some have the false idea that vermin will die off as winter ap- 
proaches, and so take no trouble to destroy them. 

Said one to us—a lady, not a louse—‘“‘I have birds that have been 
lousy these three years. They were so when purchased. The fan- 
cier said to keep them down in summer by putting a cloth over the 
cage nights, and winter was sure to take them off!” 

“ And you have kept them down in that way ?” we asked. 

“Yes; I scald off hosts from them each season.” 

“‘ And the birds are free of them in cold weather ?” 

“Perfectly. But as soon as the breeding business begins, in 
March, the mites are generated again. Isn’tit odd? I can’t see what 
there is about birds that they should generate insects so easily ; and 
when kept so cleanly, too! If I did not enjoy their song so much, 
Td not try to keep one at all!” 

*« Are you sure the fancier said it was natural for canaries to be 
lousy ?” said we, with an incredulous intonation, at which she fired. 

“Sure ? of course lam. He said he had none but were lousy!” 

“'Then he is unfit for his business. It is not natural to bird-life 
to have them, any more than it is natural for people to have body-lice. 
We'll pay a dollar a piece for all you can find among our birds! ” 

‘‘Faugh ! who expects to find bird-vermin in December ?” laughed 
she, pointedly, deeming us caught in a word-trap. But when we said, 
“We'll get dozens off your birds in forty-eight hours,” she looked 
odd. She did not believe it could be done; did not credit our ve- 
racity in asserting that our birds never had generated lice ; finally in- 
vited us to attend her home to examine her birds. We went. 

‘Now, we'll show you how it is the birds come out lousy when 


94 THE PET CANARY. 


they begin to nest,” said we, after taking a little bony bird in hand. 
“See here!” Two feathers had loosened into our hand from the 
bird’s struggling ; she bent to examine them with us. 

‘Well, I see no lice,” said she, triumphant. 

“No; but there's something only waiting for sufficient warmth to 
develop a few mites.” 

There they were. She was dumb with astonishment. 

Around the quills, close up to the body, several nits were glued so 
tightly that no shaking would move them. She scraped them off with 
her finger-nail. ven then she said, “It can’t be! Nits, indeed! 
It’s only a sort of dandruff from the body that has dried on.” Never- 
theless, she, at our suggestion, viewed them through a microscope, 
and she said no more about dandruff. There was no difficulty now — 
in teaching her the philosophy of lice generation. 

The nits are closely glued to the quills tight up to the body, where 
the warmth therefrom may hatch, and their proximity to the body 
afford the newly hatched a quick and easy breakfast ; after which they 
begin to crawl, and practise the ways of their primogenitors. Hence, 
it is seen, the body of the bird is a sort of lying-in hospital, until 
each quill becomes too loaded to further accommodate, when the cuttle- 
fish bone is chosen and covered ; then the secretive spots in the cage, 
and so on, till dozens develop hundreds and thousands ; and thousands 
are the result in one season where permitted to flourish unmolested. 
And what is the life of a tiny bird worth when thus infested ? 

At first he struggles against the invasion—picking, scratching, 
jumping at himself, singing nervous, fitful protests, with eyes wild and 
strained. Another bird will droop about, head drawn in, feathers 
distended, refusing to eat, to sing, or bathe ; acting as if a fatal illness 
had attacked him. Still other birds are crazy for a bath, staying in it 
for long periods, and entering it often, if permitted. 4 

To calmly leave a caged bird helpless in such misery is cruelty, — 
deserving not only censure but punishment. When the societies for — 
preventing cruelties make it a business to visit all bird establishments, 
compelling the extermination of mites, they will be performing a hu- 
mane act which all the good angels of heaven will applaud, and the 
public in general will appreciate, for there is no need for birds to be — 
lousy ! ¢ 

Lousy birds, being in an over-nervous strain constantly, rear 
young of so weak and nervous a temperament that it is risky to buy — 


THE PET CANARY. 95 


one of them ; and they never develop that lovable nobility of conduct 
so common among the robust birds. They may make pretty pets—if 
the vermin is cleared off—and their irritability will seem cunning 
perhaps, in a pet, but most provoking when practised on a mate, or 
on birdlets in the nest. They often kill their nestlings, being irri- 
tated by the call for food, etc. To an experienced eye a batch of 
lousy birds are at once detected. Place them in contiguity with a lot 
that have never known a lousy experience, and note the wide differ- 
ence in looks, character, health, and song. Pitiful! pitiful! Our 
patience is ever sorely tried with people who keep birds in this plight ; 
and we often are tempted to set the prevention of cruelty agents 
upon them. 
| We are writing this item at large, in the hope that these societies 
_ may notice and take steps upon it to prevent the future misuse of our 
feathered home pets. Why have they been so long overlooked? If 
a dog or a pig goes hungry, or is improperly housed, a stir is made, 
and the cruel owner made to suffer for his carelessness of a brute’s. 
- comfort; but a caged bird may be neglected till death relieves its 
_ misery, and nothing is said, nothing done. Our Saviour saith: ‘A 
sparrow falleth not to the ground without our Father!” It is possi- 
_ ble that He pities these little home pets also, and values the vesper 
_ prayers of their fair owners for all they are worth. 
Not long since a bird thirsted to death, by the careless owner 
placing the water-cup where the bird could not get its head through 
to obtain a drink—that the only water given for three days, the habit 
being to provide him twice a week. Think of it, humane ones, fresh 
water only twice a week for.a pet bird! and they have such an ap- 
preciation for water! Poor Dickie! 

We once presented a pair of beautiful birds to a lady who impor- 
tuned us for them. Two months later she went off on a protracted 
visit, utterly forgetful of the little lives. They were left alone to die 
of starvation. And she begged for the present, because she ‘so loved 
dear little birds!” 

. A certain lady let a friend take her singer for the breeding season. 
_ The morning after receiving him he sang a few soft notes, fell off his 
perch, gasped a few times, and died. The cage-floor was covered 
_ with bloody droppings; the body of the bird was like meal, the 
_ bones of the wings bare and dry ; and an army of lice were trooping 
_ off the corpse of their victim. His body was sent home ; details told. 


ee ee a 


‘oe ee ——— ~ 


96 THE PET CANARY. 


‘Poor darling,” sighed the lady, ‘he died of homesickness ; he was 
never from home before!” He had been from home just ten hours. 
He was generally attended to when she happened to think of him— 
about once a week. She loved birds! 

A pair of lovely female birds once died on our hands in this same 
way, some thirty hours after we brought them home. They were lit- 
erally eaten up by lice, and bloody evacuations had set in. 

Were there space for them, dozens of such instances that have 
come within the writer’s knowledge might be related. 

Does any one think these ladies who “so love birds ” need—some 
of them—a little incentive, by way of lawful investigation, to induce 
the bestowal of care as well as “love ?” | 


‘¢Oh, Love is but a name,” he said, 
‘‘T want it not. Give me thy heart! ” 


TO EXTERMINATE LICE, 


Mix one teaspoonful of sulphur-flour with two tablespoonfuls of 
white wheat-flour. At night rub this into the feathers thoroughly, 
taking pains to rub the under side of wings and thighs, and about the 
neck, as the vermin centre in these snug places mostly. Put the bird 
in a tin cage set over a plate of water, and lay a white cloth over the — 
cage. At dawn, ere the bird has an opportunity to plume itself, care-_ 
fully remove the cloth and water, both of which will show more or — 
less of the vermin; those in the water drowned, but those on the — 
cloth alive. Scald the cloth. Baste the feathers thoroughly with — 
pure wheat-flour, in which a little salt has been mixed, and put in a 
clean cage—or free—while the cage slept in is being scalded in boil-— 
ing-water. Scald cuttle-bone also. 

The object of the morning basting is to prevent the bird from eat-_ 
ing the sulphur put on the night before. Well covered with flour— 
which is binding to the bowels—he swallows most of it in pluming, — 
thus saving himself from bowel disorder ; but a very strong bird may — 
get on very well without this attention. His symptoms must be 
watched very closely, though. | 

Hang in a warm place, where the nits will hatch freely, keeping a 
piece of bread in the cage that has been soaked in black-pepper 
water, also sugar, and other binding foods, as protectives to the 
bowels, and—with bath—he will go till night, when the mixture of 
sulphur and flour must be again rubbed into the feathers ; water, and 


ey ee Re ee he 


THE PET CANARY.) 97 


cloth, as before ; a basting at dawn again, as before ; cloth and cage 
scalded. Follow up this programme till no lice appear on either 
cloth or water ; then skip one night. Next night use the sulphur 
again. If none are found, skip two nights, and test again on the 
third. But if some—even one—are found, put on sulphur next night 
also. 

Always use the sulphur at night, pure flour at dawn, so long as 
a louse shows itself; skipping a night when not one is found. The 
second time none appears, two nights may be skipped. Finding none 
the third time, skip three nights; but let no night go by without 
using the plate of water and white cloth, as some may be thus caught 
when the sulphur is not used. 

Keep up the programme, using sulphur at least every third night, 
until a week goes by without a louse being seen, when it may be rea- 
sonably concluded that the extermination is complete. 

In cold weather the task is of longer duration ; a week may elapse 
without finding a louse either on the cloth or in the water ; yet on the 
eighth or tenth day one or two will appear. There have been a few 
warm, sunny days and mild nights, in which the last of the mites have 
burst from the nits ; and, finding the sulphur odor unpleasant, take 
a trip after eating, to rest in a more congenial atmosphere, going 
straightway to discovery and death. 

Remember to keep the bird in summer warmth, if you wish to 
get through the business quickly. If all the nits fail to hatch, they 
will cling to the quills and hatch in the breeding season, and the nest- 
birds will be covered with them ere one is aware of their existence. 
Nestlings are never hardy when obliged to begin life in this tortur- 
ous way. 

Should the bird be very frail and badly reduced previous to dis- 
covery of the mites, the sulphur may prove too harsh a dressing, and 
a combination of one teaspoonful of table-salt, one tablespoonful of 
fine starch, and one tablespoonful of wheat-flour will be found ef- 
fectual, using only at night; but it is not quite so quick an agent 
with which to exterminate as the sulphur. 

Some very nervous birds, when infested with mites, pick and tear 
their flesh into shreds. We have seen the bones of the wings laid 
bare, scabs so stiffening them that the wings could not close to the 
body ; and under the thighs shreds of flesh and scabs so thick that an 
effort to move a limb would cause the bird to topple over. 

f' 


98 THE PET CANARY. 


Never dust any sort of powder on birds in this condition, but 
baste them thoroughly beneath wings and thighs with cosmoline, and 
touch all raw places with it. Follow up this method of anointing 
every other day till the sores are healed. If the ointment has ex- 

“tended well over the entire body and quills, the lice and nits will be 
good for nothing as lice or nits by the time the bird is well, provid- 
ing the cage has been several times scalded clean of them during the 
meantime. It is unsafe to thus anoint a bird that is not too sore to 
relish picking at itself, as the grease will sicken the one that eats it. 

Wash the ointment off the feathers—when the bird is recovered— 
with warm castile suds, rinsing in clean tepid water; dry off in a 
towel, and then leave the bird in the sunshine to plume itself. This 
bath must be given in a very warm atmosphere, and no chill allowed 
to affect the bird until perfectly dry. 

By these formulas every louse may be exterminated, if the owner 
of the bird goes to work determined to exterminate, and that is just 
what she or he should do; for this bothering several days every few 
weeks to ‘keep the numbers down” is a slack and foolish business 
—a waste of time likewise. Go at it with zeal, and have done with 
it; then you can rest with an easy spirit ever after. To cleanse 
frame cages of lice, use kerosene-oil on all secretive places, joints, etc. 


OVERGROWTH OF BILL AND CLAWS. 


Birds kept in small cages, insufficiently supplied with gravel, de- 
nied exercise, etc., are apt to develop an ungainly bill, and the claws ~ 
to lengthen and curl about. 

The claws may be cut down to the proper length, being careful in 
the act not to draw blood. Some fanciers use a file on the biils, but 
it is a tedious and cruel practice. A better way is to provide sand- — 
stone perches to whet the mandible on, and with exercise and strength- 
ening foods and medicines restore the half-paralyzed system to health- — 
ful vigor. 

Many keep singers imprisoned in tiny cages, because they can find 
no amusement except in song. This continuous song is gained at the 
expense of health and life, as such birds live short lives, and their — 
song is as unvigorous as their lives. They are pitiful little creatures, — 
whom no humane person experienced in bird culture, and accus- 
tomed to the hearty notes of health, can regard with aught but com-— 
miseration. 


4 


THE PET CANARY. 99 


When will these heathenish customs be ended? When will Chris- 
tian people learn to consider a creature’s needful comforts before their 
own selfish fancies? Should not every note strike remorse to the 
heart of a lady who denies the songster in her boudoir even a tiny bit 
of exercise in its wire prison, so confining him that he can but eat 
and sing, the cage so small that to hop about in it affords not the 
least gratification ? 

Humane friends, humane societies, do take this matter in hand, 
and forbid the manufacture of these incommodious prisons. Birds 
will sing more constantly and joyously in large cages, if made con- 
tent and happy by the kind- 
ness of the family, than they 
will stagnated in a half-foot 
cage. No single cage should 
be less than one foot in di- 
ameter, and for two birds, 
larger by six inches; and 
these should be the smallest 
sizes manufactured. A friend 
of the author recently pur- 
chased two birds which had 
been kept by the fancier in BROWN LINNET. 
tiny willow transportation [From Appleton’s American Cyclopeedia.] 
boxes until nearly paralyze a. [May be mated with the canary. ] 

It was a week before either of them could keep their perch over five 
minutes at atime. Only the closest nursing enabled them to recover 
at all. 


PUTRID EGG. 


Nesting birds sometimes get poisoned by eating the shell off a 
dead birdling which has putrefied ere the shell bursts, some early acci- 
dent having chanced to kill the egg without the knowledge of the 
person having charge of the birds. 

So soon as it is known that the birds have eaten of such an egg, 
sulphur should be put in the drinking-cup, and the birds given a good 
scouring out with it. For several weeks sulphur must be given them 
two successive mornings each week, saffron being commonly kept in 
the drink. If the blood be not quite cleansed of the poison, the 
moulting season will go hard, and will, if they live through it, leave 


100 THE PET CANARY. 


them with some disorder—dropsy, consumption, asthma. Hence it 
will be seen, to eat the poison of pe egg is about as bad a thing 
as can happen to birds. 

Should bad symptoms arise ere the fact is discovered—appetite 
gone, front all bloated and hard, slimy discharges, great pain—it will 
be necessary, after the sulphur has well operated, to give a little 
morphia, aconite, and chamomilla—two drops each of the latter, and 
just enough of the morphia to impart perceptible taste, in one-third 
tumbler of water, giving often till the pain is deadened ; then let the 
bird rest thirty minutes in sweating warmth, and give a bit more of 
sulphur, unless chick-weed, lettuce, or other green food will tempt 
the appetite. Some egg-paste must be prepared to feed with, and 
allowed in any quantity, which will be little enough, the appetite 
being gone. Yet food must be taken to keep up the strength. Two 
days’ attentive nursing may be required where the bird is hard sick, 
in which sulphur must be given four or five times a day, the other 
prescription every fifteen to thirty minutes, according to pain and the 
nurse’s judgment of symptoms. Severity of disease over, keep saf- 
fron-water in cage, plenty of green foods, etc., and give sulphur twice 
a week as above. 


RUMP GLAND. 


Accident or illness may render birds unable at times to relieve the 
rump or oil-gland of its secretion, when it will become inflamed, 
swollen, painful. Pulling a few feathers out of the tail will some- 
times be efficient. Pull all out if necessary. The new growth will 
draw the secretion, and usually prevent further difficulty. Yet, again, 
the inflammation will be excessive, and blood-quills will form. Then 
the gland must be relieved by pressing out the oil with thumb and 
forefinger. Be gentle in the act, as it is very sore. Cut off the 
blood-quills close to body, and wash in tepid water till blood stops 


running. Do not pull them out, as it will make the new tail growina ~ 


distorted shape. When the end of the cut quill is dry, then pull it out. 
Many times these blood-quills may form again, and the operation 
have to be repeated ; do not despair, time will fetch all right, espe- 
cially if the gland be each day gently squeezed, and a drop of aconite ~ 
kept in drinking-water ; bowels kept loose. Never prick the oil- 
gland except when withered, then prick, press, and anoint with cos- 
moline, 


THE PET CANARY. 101 


RUPTURE, 

Frequently people are too careless in exposing house-birds to in- 
clement weather, wind, cold, etc., and a rupture of the lungs or 
stomach will result. The bird sits drooping about, with body-feathers 
distended, shivering occasionally, eating but little, song weak and 
broken, bill and claws pallid, eyes dull. Presently, in addition to 
these symptoms, the mouth will be seen at times full of blood, which 
the bird keeps swallowing down, with a weakness assuming prostra- 
tion on each recurring rupture. 

If the rupture be of the lungs, there will be froth mixed with the 
blood, or, more properly speaking, a bloody froth will fill the bill, 
and prostration be instantaneous. If from the stomach, craw, and 
liver, the blood is clear and more plentiful, the exhaustion less, and 
the chances, of a cure ninety per cent. better. But rupture is a state 
of the primary disease which pronounces the case well-nigh hopeless. 

We once cured rupture of the stomach with this prescription : 
Pulverized alum and morphia in water, sufficient quantity of each to 
be perceptible to taste ; two teaspoonfuls of crust-sugar dissolved in 
it ; there being about a third of a tumblerful. 

This was given four or five times, every ten to fifteen minutes, till 
the bird was well under the influence of it (only a drop given at a 
time), then a rest was allowed for sleep. On waking some warm egg- 
paste was fed to him, anda little sweetened camphor-water given as a 
drink. Another rest, from which he roused in better strength, ate 
more of the paste, and drank from his cup—two drops of aconite and 
two drops of opium (homeceopathic) in the water. 

In half an hour the first prescription was again partaken, followed 
presently by some more of the camphor-water ; the aconite and opium 
left in cup to be drunk from any time. Some soaked bread dipped 
in cream, some of the yolk of a hard-boiled egg, banana soaked in 
milk, the soft foods allowed besides the egg-paste ; all seed and other 
dry foods removed from the cage. 

After the first day the alum remedy was given but once or twice, 
according to symptoms—that is, while the swallowing spells lasted. 
(While there remains irritation in the rupture’s vicinity, the bird will 
have times of swallowing, occasioned by an uneasy feeling within. 
Holding the bird to the ear will aid in determining this condition, the 
action in the throat being plainly heard. So long as it continues, the 
styptic remedy must be occasionally used with the others.) 


102 THE PET CANARY. 


A little powdered slippery elm mixed with the egg-paste at times _ 
will help keep the bowels active ; if not enough, add a drop of sul- 
phur (homeopathic) to the medicines in the water-cup. 

When the styptic is dropped, drop the camphor-water also. But 
keep up that in the cup, also the soft foods, until strong and well. 
Care must be taken not to give irritating foods, nor aught that isvery 
bracing, while the work of recuperation is in progress. Keep the 
bird warm. For a lung rupture we should use the same prescrip- 
tions. 


‘ SNAPPING OF THE BILL 


This habit renders a nervous person half distracted when obliged 
to occupy the same room with a bird thus diseased, for a bird that 
continuously snaps its bill is afflicted much as people are who grind 
the teeth in sleep, or complain of the teeth having an elongated sen- 
sation, ete. 

This grating of the billis a sort of neuralgia settled on the nerves 
of the bill. Generally, a drop of belladonna in the water-cup a few 
days will set all right. Should it not, a drop of hyoscyamus niger in 
its place will do the work. Once cured, do not expose the bird to 
cold again. Prevention is always better than medicine. Im fact, a 
bird ought to be so carefully kept as to never need medicine ! 


SPRAINS. 


When claw or ankle get sprained, the best and quickest cure is 
the same treatment which loving mammas give to baby’s hurt finger, 
not only a kiss, but a suck. Cleanse the little member, and try it. 
See how still birdie keeps while the pain is being thus drawn out ! 
The simple act will save many rubbings in olive-oil, and hot-water 
soakings. Salt mixed with the oilis best to rub in. For a sprained 
wing make a strong tea of wheat-bran, and sop the feathers around 
the sprain as often as they dry, until the pain is relieved; keep in a 
warm place. If the bird shivers, sitting about in great distress, put 
a drop of opium in water-cup. 


WORMS. 


Young birds, and sometime sold birds, are troubled with these pests, 
much the same as children are, though few are aware of it, permitting 
their birds to die—of consumption, they think —when a little proper 
attention will eject the worms, and save the bird for a good old age. 


" | ei 
- 


THE PET CANARY. 103 


Symptoms.—Feathers stick out, gapes as if something stuck in the 
throat, almost constant tasting, at times rubs bill in a frantic manner, 
mouth has a pale and parboiled appearance, eyes heavy, bowels dis- 
tended, eats in a fitful, voracious way, craves sweets. 

Of course, all these symptoms may not appear in unison, but will 
all expose themselves in a few days’, or even one day’s space; are 
more prominently seen in the young birds than in the old. 

Prepare for water-cup, one drop cina, a pinch of pulverized slip- 
pery-elm bark, and sugar enough to sweeten. This is the principal 
exterminator, often passing the worms off whole. 

Should shivering take place, one drop aconite, one drop ignatia, 
one drop iron in one-third tumblerful of water, will prosper the cure. 
With some birds this last acts better than the first, and with a bit of 
sulphur each morning is the only medicine needed. 

Allow all the green food, especially plantain-rods and chickweed, 
the bird can eat. Soak bread in one of the medicines. 

For young birds the pulp of a fig—obtained by soaking in one of 
the medicines, the seed previously scraped off—will prove a vast help, 
as the worms will gorge this. Also plantain-seed mixed with the egeg- 
paste, or the slippery-elm mixed with it, can be fed to the baby birds 
with telling effect. | 

In doctoring for worms, it is absolutely necessary to watch the 
symptoms, as the worms frequently clog the bowel so full the bird 
is powerless to pass them off, when mortification ensues and the 
nurse’s pains are rewarded by death. 

Notice the moment the little patient begins to lose appetite. The 
fact informs you the medicine has destroyed the worms, and the in- 
ternal machinery has too much to do. At once administer a good 
dose of sulphur, or elm and sulphur; feed nothing which has not 
these physicking properties mixed with it, so long as the appetite con- 
tinues poor or capricious ; and meanwhile the bowels must be kept 
sweating by applying hot water. To accomplish this, hold the bird 
in left hand, wrapping a towel about it loosely ; have ready a spirit- 
lamp with a basin of hot water over it, and with a bit of soft muslin, 
or soft flannel is better, dipped in the water—hot as the fingers will 
bear—the bowels may be quickened to action by holding the flannel 
pressed against them, changing it often as the heat escapes. A very 
young bird must be thus held until all the worms pass off and the 
bowel resumes its normal size ; older ones may need the attention for 


104 THE PET CANARY. 


a few evacuations only. For birds with worms noé to need this assist- 
ance is rare. When the dead clog is sufficiently decreased for the 
bowels to assume natural action, the appetite returns, and strenethen- 
ing foods must be provided, iron administered, the system toned up 
generally. ‘The rapidity with which health returns is wonderful. 

Canker sometimes appears on the tongue. The bird keeps rolling 
his tongue about in his bill as if it felt oddly. Examine, and you will 
see the canker ; make him drink mercurius in his water—three drops 
—till the canker is subdued. 


Tympany, orn Wrnp-ptoat.—The skin, sometimes over the entire 
body, sometimes some portion of it, swells up with wind, rendering 
the bird an odd-looking object as well as extremely uncomfortable. 
Prick with a needle and the air will escape. To obviate recurrence 
anoint with sweet cream, or wash in sweet milk. 


DistocareD Joint.—Gently stretch the limb, pressing the joint in 
place the while. Done ere inflammation sets in, the cure is complete; 
but if inflammation has set in, lave with water in which wheat-bran 
has been well soaked ; and keep two drops aconite in drinking-water 
till well. Keep bowels lax. 


Bare Puaces on tHE Heap.—Anoint with cosmoline and sulphur 
rubbed together into a fine paste. Fresh butter may also be used 
with the sulphur. We prefer cosmoline, however. 


Scates on Lecas.—Caused by humors in the blood. Anoint with 
cosmoline and sulphur several days in succession, gently rubbing with 
the fingers. Thus the scales will soon pass off. Also treat the bird 
as per directions for ‘‘ humors.” 


SorE Frrer.—If caused by dirt drying on, wash it off by soakings 
in tepid Castile suds; anoint with cosmoline ; and do not let the 
cage get so dirty again. Give the bird a constant bath-tub of water 
to wet his feet in if you can do no better. 

If the feet are sore with a scaly humor, proceed as for sore legs. 


SwoiteN Lras.—Caused by too small perches generally. Provide 
larger perches. Bathe the legs in diluted arnica water or wheat-bran 
water, and rub well with fresh lard afterward. 


THE PET CANARY. 105 


Vertico.—Bird looks upward and falls to the ground, too dizzy to 
go straight on attaining its feet. Covering the cage top 1s a preventive 
of these falls generally, but not acure. Nux vomica, one drop in 
water-cup for a week or two, will prove curative. 


Parrtnc Frever.—A melancholy or craze for a mate in breeding- 
season. If not willing to provide a mate, give him—or her—a tiny 
mirror in the cage, hang in a sunny window, supply plenty of nour- 
ishing foods, and keep amused as much as possible. In a few weeks 
the heat of the desire will depart. A drop of aconite kept in the 
drinking-water, alternating with a drop of ignatia, will keep inflamma- 
tion from settling in the procreative organs. Birds experiencing this 
desire, when not gratified, will bathe twice or thrice daily if permitted, 
and it does them good, Let them have a bath kept in the cage if pos- 
sible. 


Dropsy.— Within a few days a lady informs us she cured her bird 
of a bad dropsy by simply keeping the water-cup supplied with pump- 
kin-seed tea ; feeding the bird as usual, only taking care to wash all 
the seed clean of dust. (We have doubts of the badness of the case 
thus cured, since we have had to resort to more complicated remedies. ) 


Bruinpness.—A hard distemper—an influenza-like cold—has been 
known to impair the sight. A drop of belladonna will generally 
restore it, if kept in the water-cup a week or so. 

A friend possessed a bird so nearly blind, by age, it stumbled 
over perches, and never knew of her presence in the room, save by the 
sense of hearing, unless she put her face close to the cage wires. 
Calling at her home one day, we laughingly suggested a pair of opera- 
glasses for him, ‘She good-naturedly acted on the idea, and fastened 
a magnifying glass close by a perch. As soon as discovered, the joy 
of that bird was delightful to witness; he stood by it all the while he 
was not eating, generally carrying his food there to eat as he gazed ; 
it became his spot to sing in; he plumed his feathers there. No old 
lady ever appreciated a pair of good glasses more fervently than did 
Jacky this loophole of vision; when two more perches were each 
given a spy-glass, youth seemed fairly to return. It was cunning in- 
deed, to see him turning his little head to peep with either eye on 
scenes so long unknown. You who have birds thus afflicted, try these 
little glasses, and win their gratitude. They cost little ; can easily be 


106 THE PET CANARY. 


fastened to the wires beside a perch. One will be a blessing, out any 


number will be appreciated ; and the bird will act more lively in a 
cage whence views may be taken from all quarters. 


STANDARD REMEDIES. 


Tincture of iron, saffron buds, cayenne pepper, and flour of sul- 
phur are the four essential and efficient remedies for most bird 
diseases. 

The pepper is used to warm the craw and bowels; the iron to 
renew impaired vigor ; the saffron to remove bilious tendencies, flatu- 
lency, indigestion, etc.; the sulphur to cool inflammatory troubles 
of system or bowels, relieve constipation, cleanse the blood, ete. 

Dry flour, salt, black pepper, sugar, and blackberry leaf, are the 
common home remedies in doctoring lax bowels. 


Soaked hemp-seed, cream, slippery-elm, agents to allay most in- 


ternal irritations that have not reached rupture. 

In ordinary ailments these few home agents will, if taken in time, 
effect speedy cures ; but when the disease is radically seated the pre- 
pared homceopathic remedies had best be resorted to, the nurse study- 
ing and acting on those directions, in the foregoing chapter on 
diseases, applicable to the case. 

When preparing pepper-bread for the cage, the pepper had best 
be put in a cup and hot water turned on it; the bread soaked in that 
will be fully medicated. But pepper-bread being required, and hot 
water not attainable, cold water in its place is in better order than 
omitting the bread would be. | 

In cases of bowel disorders where continuous perspiration is 
necessary, and the nurse has neither time or patience to promote it 
by holding the little sufferer in the hands, a warm nest must be pre- 
pared in some box or basket commodious enough to admit a good- 
sized bottle of hot water, the stopper being perfectly snug and firmly 
fastened. A lady’s work-basket is a desirable receptable for this. 
First line with layers of flannel, then lay in the bottle wrapped in a 
dampened flannel, and again wrapped with a dry one; and close to 
this build the nest, filling in around the sides to keep it snug up 
against the bottle, and only enough between to prevent too great heat 
in the contact. Covered with prudent care against suffocation, the 


sick bird will lie quietly in such a nest, grateful for its comforting 


warmth. 


ee ee aes ee a a ee | ere 


CHAPTER IX. 


- CONCLUDING REMARKS AND SUGGESTIONS. 


ities: Itisa singular fact, that while true-mates cling 
Fy mii N to each other with unwavering fidelity as long as 
by m) {ua} both live together, when once effectually separated 
~~ the principle founding the loyal tie seems in both na- 
tures to become suddenly, irrevocably demoralized. The true 
mate torn away, none other is elected in his or her stead for 
a life mate, but only for the season. Hach successive spring 
t/ a new mate is chosen, and faith is rigidly kept for the season, 
but no longer. Yet, should the true mates ever meet again, 
the old tie is remembered, recognized, and the remainder of their 
lives, if permitted, passed exactly as if the ‘“‘sacred vows” had never 
been broken in upon. -Parting true-mates is a wrong of more heart- 
less magnitude than people generally imagine in the heedless pursuit 
of their own pleasures. They part a happy couple in the belief that 
birds do not mind what mate they have so long as one is provided ; 
and then a friend really wants to borrow or buy the bird, you know, 
and one likes to oblige one’s friends. The birds may pine a little for 
each other, but that’s nothing ; they'll soon get over it! 

Get over it, indeed! Nay, my heedless friend, the birds never get 
over it, never forget it, as you will learn if you give their habits, na- 
tures, etc., an honest and thorough study. The beauty of the little 
lives is forsworn on the altar of a broken heart! really a broken heart, 
whose aches, if life continues, creates a callous article to fill its place. 
They are, in this principle, utterly changed. Did you ever see true- 
mates mourn each other’s loss? How they droop about, refusing to 
eat, happy in nothing—calling, calling, all the days, by spells, for the 
loved one who never comes, never more responds. Presently the lit- 


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*hs 0 Ma West 
= a ota jst S 5: Hi ut, 
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108 THE PET CANARY. 


tle sorrowful breast is bared, as if the pain were too intense to be 
borne inside the feather coat—as if it were suffocative. A pitiful sight 
is the sad bird, sitting about with drooped wings, mournful eyes, and 
breast all bare! Note how the other birds in the aviary move aside, 
or softly peck toward her, as the bereaved one passes, each seeming 
to respect and feel sympathy for sorrow so great. They express most 
excessive misery if the separation occurs during the nesting-season. 
We are speaking of true-mates who have never before suffered the 
panes of such a loss. Such not infrequently grieve themselves to 
death. We have seen male birds that had never sung a note after 
losing their true-mates ; others that appeared to take the loss with 
real human equanimity, evidently comforting themselves with the 
trite philosophy that the sea held other fish. 

To the observant eye there is as varied a display of character 
among canary birds as among the more self-exalted human race. 
There are gentle hearts, tender hearts, indifferent hearts, brutal 
hearts, and timid and clinging ones, and those that love to hector. 
The dispositions are all of childish texture ; we never met one em- 
bodying mature sedateness. Their tempers flame up at nothing, a 
fierce battle ensues, and the next instant Sir Valorous is squealing for 
mercy from his adversary. The slightest little hurt is sufficient to 
transform him to abject cowardice, until he gets safe again, when he 
will resume the attack with renewed energy. Study them, dear 


friends, and see if you can liken them to any other than a lot of — 


riotous, laughing, scrambling, merry-hearted school-children ! 


PICKING THE YOUNG. 


Female birds sometimes pick their young as soon as the pin-quills 
are fairly through, having discovered a juicy sweetness in them. She 
does not always do this out of viciousness, but because they taste 
nice, and she will, very likely, disgorge them into the craws of the 
babes she robs. But, whether vicious or otherwise, the little ones 
will get picked to death if not removed from her reach. Such 
mother-birds, if good layers, should be robbed of their eggs, and 
some better bird allowed to hatch them. In aviaries there are sure 


to be a few birds who lay small nests, yet are trusty mothers. Give | 


the eggs into their charge. 


We have been told that washing nestlings in beatae or some — 
other harmless, yet bitter decoction, would cure the old ones of pick- 


ee | Ee eT Ne oe ee a 


ee a Sy oa a 


TIE PET CANARY. 109 


ing them. Perhaps it will, in some rare cases. We tried it once on 
a nest of four nice healthy birds that the mother had begun to pick, 
and she was so angry over the nasty flavor that she punched them to 
death with her bill. We had never considered her a vicious bird 
before that. So our experience hardly justifies the recommendation 
of beef-gall, or any other wash. There seems no way to us except to 
make the best of whatever turns up so far as such traits are con- 
cerned. By the way, in selecting a female for breeding purposes, 
see that she is flat-headed, thin-necked, long-legged, and has a squat- 
ting gait. 

A lady informs us she cured a vicious pair of birds of picking 
their young, by squirting water from a syringe on them whenever 
they attempted to pluck a quill, watching indefatigably to catch 
them in the act. 

She considers it a better way to do than that of removing the 
young (we don’t!), since they have never abused a nest from that 
date, raising their young as carefully as could be desired. The 
younglings must have been sacrificed by this discipline, as no nest- 
ling is hardy enough to survive a chill, and they must have been 
deluged. Yet, if the old birds were really cured of the habit, sacri- 
ficing one nest would not signify much. 

Another habit practised by vicious birds is that of pecking into 
the open throats of their young when teasing for food. For such 
nothing can be devised except separation, as this heinous act is sure 
to kill. 


BAD DISPOSITIONS, 


The male bird is sometimes of so ardent a nature that he tears up 
the nest and will not allow his mate to sit on her eggsin peace. He 
must be removed as soon as she is ready to sit. 

Take notice these troublesome males are generally of the full Ger- 


man breed. The French and Belgian are incomparable as breeders, 


rearing their progeny with tenderest solicitude, and are so devoted and 
affectionate as mates, one grows to love them for the lovable qualities 
inherent in them. 

Among the French canaries in our stock there is not a cross dis- 
position. They give no trouble, tame readily, and are endeared to 
us as the German birds will never be, though thrice the pains has 
been taken to develop them into sweet tempers. They always seem 


110 THE PET CANARY. 


overflowing with the mischievous pranks of monkeydom, capricious, 
selfish, jealous ; not at all like the mild-eyed, intelligent, fond-hearted 
French birds. The song of the latter, though not so rattling and 
forcible as the German, is quite as delicious to hear, and in cultiva- 
tion acquires as many notes. Those who have had experience with 
both breeds declare the French large bird the favorite. 

The Belgian birds are superior even to these in amiability ; their 
natures are most lovable in all respects. 


TWO QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 


Two questions were recently asked of us which it will not be 
irrelevant to discuss in this chapter, viz., How to distinguish sexes 
in the nest ; and how the canary acquired its varied colors. 

To the latter the response was made: That the various colors are 
produced in the legitimate breed by crossing with other birds is not 
probable, since the progeny thus obtained are mules, and are in con- 
sequence incompetent to propagate; but the fact of imprisonment, 
of artificial diet, has acted on the system, depleted the quality of the 
blood, ete., thereby producing a progeny exhibiting different charac- 
teristics, physical and mental, than could possibly be in the free, wild 
breed. That this theory is indisputable, the quality of the different 
colored birds proves, the palest ones being frail, those catching the 
native strain most hardy of all. The strength of the mottled bird ac- 
cords with the depth of coloring ; the mostly dark being more hardy 
than those mostly light. 

A pair of dark birds kept on laxative food will produce more 
lightish progeny than dark. This is another item favoring the above 
theory. Others might be adduced to support it, but are unnecessary, 
common sense being in the ascendant. | 

The sexes in the nest are readily known to the experienced eye by — 
the formation of the back body, that of the male tapering from the — 
thighs to the terminus; while the other sex is roundly conformed, 
the entire body shorter and more plumply cast. The necks of the 
females are also shorter and thicker than those of the male, and in 
feeding the female sets the head back alittle, while the male stretches — 
up his long neck with a piggish voraciousness that will not be denied. 
He is flatter and broader across the top of the head than the fe- 
male, the eyes set farther apart. The broader the head the finer the 
song. +) 


EE a — as — = 


THE PET CANARY. EE 


An observer will notice these distinctions of sex the moment the 
birdlings burst the shell. 


HINTS IN REGARD TO HATCHING. 


The term of incubation is thirteen days ; the female begins to sit 
on her first egg the day she lays it, and the little ones hatch in this 
order, one a day, till all are hatched ; allowing thirteen days to each 
ego, of course. Hence, if there are three eggs it will take sixteen 
days to hatch them all. | 

Should all not hatch in that time, the person who has charge of the 
birds must very carefully take them from the nest. The fingers must 
be warm, as there exists a chance of the eggs being alive, and a cold 
touch will chill them. Being alive they are close upon hatching. 
Gently hold them in the hollow of the left hand and breathe warmly 
on them, watching closely for signs of life. The hot breath will cause 
the chick to move in the shell, and the motion will be seen at once, 
when they must be restored to the nest. There must be no clumsy 
work in this investigation, no squeezing of the shell; and do not 
turn the egg, if it can be avoided, from the position, in which the 
sitter left it, laying it back on the same side. Properly handled, they 
will hatch as well as though they had not been disturbed. Jemem- 
ber, if the shell is prematurely broken, or the egg jarred, the little 
tenant will die. ‘Therefore be very careful in the handling. If ner- 
vous of the result, lift out the eggs with a teaspoon. If no signs of 
life respond to the hot breathing death is there. ; 

By taking the egg endways between thumb and forefinger, the 
large end uppermost, and holding between the eye and the sun, cer- 
tain conditions may be determined. If a few days dead, there appears 
a transparent cavity at the big end ; if rotten, there is a reddish look 
throughout ; if infertile, a clear transparency throughout ; if sucked, 
the shell is light weight, pale in color. 

Never rob a nest that the eges may all hatch together ; it is a poor 
plan, and seldom ends well. 


VARIETY OF FOOD NECESSARY. 


Birds should be taught to acquire a relish for various foods, especi- 
ally figs, bananas, oranges, etc. ; also for the mints—peppermint, 
spearmint —in the green leaf, as these things are often essential in 
effecting cures ; whereas unknown foods, however essential to the cure 


112 THE PET CANARY. 


of a sick bird, will be shunned, and death ensue for lack of inclina- 
tion to eat. 

There is a current report to the effect that, by feeding Edits 
birds on a diet of red pepper and bread and milk, the new plumage 
will partake of a red tinge. Such diet is very deleterious to a bird’s 
system, though, and none but a foolish person will subject them to it. 
The natural colors of the canary are far prettier ; and nature has 
given us a large variety of red and pink birds to please the eye with- 
out tormenting these helpless victims. If you must experiment in 
this way, try it on your own system. Barnum’s arms are ever open 
for human curiosities, and by the time you are ready for the public 
gaze methinks some glow of sympathy will have entered your heart 
for the much abused little canary bird. 

A certain fancier declares birds will sing throughout the moulting 
if refined liquorice be kept in the drinking-water. Another advocates 
the use of lettuce-seed as especially good for the voice. While both 
are good in their place, we have found a good, sound constitution the 
best preserver of the voice during this critical period. Birds kept 
constantly caged cannot be expected to acquire or keep the strength 
which belongs to birds loose in the aviary, and, beside them, their 
notes will have a feeble sound. This may be remedied to an extent 
by allowing exercise a brief while each day, or every other day. And 
do not confine him to one kind of seed and water. There is another 
experiment to test on yourself. If you feel much lke singing after 
close diet on mush and milk for a couple of months, we wager the 
tune will be entitled, ‘‘O for something to eat!” 

In selecting seeds, be careful to get those that are fresh, and free 
from dust and mustiness, as old seed will soon destroy the song and 
disorder all the internal. machinery quite as effectually as hard colds 
do. Taste of the seed if you feel incompetent to judge by its appear- 
ance ; if good, it will have a sweet, clean flavor; if old, bitter and 
musty. 

Good canary-seed has a glistening shuck, and is heavy and slip- 
pery to the touch. Never give canaries maw-seed ; it will kill them. 
Of rape, the German summer is most praised as “sweetest and best” 


by some fanciers ; we have found the English and American quite as _ 
desirable when fresh, as one is as worthless as the other when old or — 
musty. German summer rape is of uniform size, and almost black in — 
color. English and American has several colors and sizes, but is” 


) 


THE PET CANARY. 113 


equally as sweet when fresh, in spite of the much descanted on “im- 
perfection in growth,” ete. 

The Russian hemp-seed is a clean, sound seed, without black 
specks when good, sweet to the taste. If old, there will be an oily 
flavor, and the seed hard. Hemp having a speckled pod and with- 
ered meat has felt a frost. A clean gray shuck, a white sound meat, 


—— 


| tb \ 


LANCASHIRE COPY CANARY. 


[From an original sketch by the author.) 


sweet to the taste, and the birds will enjoy it. But they must be fed 
sparingly of it, lest apoplexy attack them. 

There are two kinds of native millet-seed. That known as pearl 
millet is best, and is more readily eaten ; has a clean, pale shell beside 
the other, which bears more of a straw color. The pearl millet is 
healthy and nutritious; so is a little crushed rice healthful in sum- 
mer, when green foods are often too generously allowed for the bird’s | 
good. The Hungarian millet is a larger and much sweeter seed, and 
preferable to the others. 

8 


114. THE PET CANARY. 


If breeding-birds be allowed plenty of figs, the plumage of the 
progeny will be bright ; the green birds will be especially brilliant. 
During gestation stint the female on nothing she craves; give her 
exercise each day, and keep very bright, pleasing colors where she 
can see them. Some lively colors knotted to the cage-wires are sure 
to exert an influence toward beautifying the plumage of her young. : 

Young birds must have a varied, generous diet until seven months 3 
old, when a standard diet must be planned that is not too rich for 
the imprisoned one’s health. After maturity overfeeding is easier 
effected than before. The expanding ligaments, etc., require, as in 
children, proper nourishment to form a strong and durable physique 
for maturity to base on. Denied all es ie is, sparingly 
fed—the constitution is ever feeble. 

Many advocate starving birds for the purpose of taming them, 
Starvation is likely to make any creature submissive, but it is a cruel 
way to manage. As the poet says, “’Tis better far to rule by love © 
than fear.” And birds tamed by loving association are gifted with a — 
sweet, pert manner of response never seen in birds that are starved, 
or otherwise forced to docility. Breeders, however, having hundreds 
on hand to cultivate, must resort to a formula that occupies small 
time ; the bird’s love is not what he covets. But ladies desire the 
unequivocal surrender of their pet’s little heart. In this lies a differ- — 
ence, and the methods adopted must be to the desired ultimatum. 
_ She does not like a mechanical tameness, but independent, saucy, in- — 
telligent, ingenious capering about her person, when freed, to exhibit — 
its fond delightedness. 

As the child trained by love, and the child trained by coercive — 
measures to ways of stern rectitude, betray a widely-shaped difference — 
of character, just so does the training tell among birds. . 

The system of “starving to tame” ought never to be practised on 
immature birds. They are more liable to fall into illnesses under 
strains upon the system than are fully-developed, mature birds. In — 
fact, to make extra songsters, the young lives should be free of all 
terrors, all unnecessary restraint. The appetite is so keen only very 
little coaxing is required to get them to receive bits out of the fingers. 
There need be no starving, merely denial of some dearly-prized dainty 
for a day or two, until, to have it, willingness is manifested to pick at 
it when offered. The hints in the chapter on taming, etc., will prove 
an efficient guide for any one. 


ae 


THE PET CANARY. 115 


ESCAPED BIRDS. 


Pet birds are frequently forever lost—when by some unforeseen 
accident they get loose—that could have been enticed home without 
difficulty had the owners known how to go to work. A few simple 
directions herein may be of value to such. 

A bird that escapes from its cage in the breeding-season is trapped 
at once if he or she be still on the premises, and a double-cage is 
hung out, a bird of opposite sex confined in one compartment, and 
the door of the other left open for the wanderer. 

If the bird has a mate, hang her or him out immediately. A loose 
canary will go to the cage of any bird that is to be seen. When hun- 
ger calls, an empty cage is sure to tempt entrance, and the door must 
be managed to spring to easily if one cannot stay by to watch. 

If a sheet be spread on the ground the bird will alight on it, and 
another sheet can be tossed over to make him captive. A very tame 
bird will return to alight on its owner, if a sheet, or any white article, 
be thrown over the shoulders, and position taken where the bird can 
see and also hear the familiar call. 

A young miss lured her lost pet in through the open casement by 
playing on the piano a favorite tune of the bird’s. | 

As twilight approaches, if the stray bird is on the premises, throw 
open the windows, light up brilliantly, cages being arranged where 
they can be distinctly seen from without, and the bird will soon enter 
the room and settle in a cage. In pursuing this plan, the open room 
is best vacated, as the sound of talk, or laughter, or the presence of 
people will scare the timid creature. The cage shows best on a white 
table-spread. . 

Escaped birds are easily entrapped in cages set out of doors on a 
white spread table or box. They are sure to seek the cage when 
hungered. All food must be inside the cage, remember. 

Never beat around with sticks or stones, as that frightens them to 
seek refuge in tall trees, and may drive them far away. 


THE USES OF MUSTARD. 


Mustard when green, also the ripened seed, is a food birds are 
fond of, bat will create inflammation when too freely given. A little 
is good for them, occasionally given, but do not mistake the kind. 
The yellow mustard is the sort to give. The white mustard is fit only 
for medical uses, as it is very laxative. So is the yellow rather laxa- 


116 THE PET. CANARY. 


tive if too freely eaten, and, in fact, extremely injurious if. ed 
in day after day, being irritant as well as laxative. 

All seed is healthier if the dust be washed off. It is soon accom- 
plished by tying the seed in a muslin bag, and sousing in a vessel of 
"clean, fresh water. Drain well, spread the seed on a sheet, or paper, 
in a hot sun, to dry. 


CARE OF THE FEET AND LIMBS. 


Sometimes nestlings in very warm weather are kept too warm, or 
the mother-bird may sit too heavily on them, and the feet or limbs 
become somewhat paralyzed. Be sure to examine the limbs ere old 
enough to come forth, as they will always be cripples if not attended 
to in time. 

Each day the paralyzed limbs must be dipped first in tepid water, 
then in water made as hot as can be borne, following with very cold 
water, holding them in it and rubbing with the fingers a couple of 
minutes or so; after which return to the nest. A few of these ablu- 
tions will restore their strength. Also practise this plan with female 
birds who lose the use of their limbs by too close sitting on their 
nest. 

Should the hind claw of younglings turn forward, tie it back with 
woollen yarn, after first dipping the feet in waters of extreme temper- 
atures—as above—and touching the joint with olive-oil, leaving it 
thus tied two or three days, when the foot must be given freedom 
during the day, binding it up again at night, if the toe inclines to 
turn under again. Should the yarn shrink and draw the toe too 
tightly to the leg, put on a new binding at once, lest the joint stiffen 
and render the toe useless. Besides stiffening the joint, the bird is in 
misery with the yarn so torturingly tight. Attend to it. 


BIRDS ARE IMITATIVE. 


Young birds will ever evince great alarm when the cage is being _ 
cleansed. Perfectly tame in all other respects, yet the removing of 
perches, the introduction of a hand inside the cage, will cause them 
to beat about, wild with fright. Time alone will give them confi- — 
dence ; time and kindly patience. If caged with old tame birds, the — 
confidence is sooner attained. In fact, young birds will imitate — 
whatsoever they see the old ones do. An amusing instance of this 
imitative spirit occurred in our aviary. A pair raised a nest of four, — 


THE PET CANARY. 117 


three singers and a female, taking unusual pride in their education. 
One of the singers was imbued with a mischievous disposition. His 
father was unwieldy in flying, the back body teetering heavily with 
each spread of the wings, and this to youngling was a funny sight ; he 
was sure to eye his flying papa very closely so long as he remained on 
the wing, then would himself assume an air of prideful gravity, and 
go teetering through the air in exactly the same manner, touching 
at the same points and halting in the same spot where his papa did. 
Ordinarily, he was very swift and graceful on the wing, but this bit 
of mimicry afforded him—seemingly—an immense lot of satisfaction. 

Caged birds when young and forming their first attachment 
will quarrel some, but once happily mated are generally peaceful. 
The German breed are most lable to have bitter combats at this time. 


A VARIETY OF HINTS. 


In feeding crackers to birds the Boston cracker is the best, the 
other makes having rather too much shortening to be healthful. 
Grease is sure to create dyspepsia ; if persisted in it will cause the 
feathers to fall off, and eventuate in death. When the Boston cracker 
cannot be had, stale bread will do in its place. Hoarhound candy 
is better for hoarse birds than rock-candy, and dissolved in water, will 
be drunk quite as freely by most birds. 


Birds loose in a room are captured without difficulty if the room 
be first darkened. To catch a good flyer in the naked hand is not easy, 
but if a handkerchief, or other light cloth, be tossed over the bird as 
it alights, the task is at once simplified. | 


Birds of pale colors are gifted with clearer sight than are the dark- 
colored birds. The latter go to roost early, while the yellow birds 
fly about when the gloaming is so dense their dark brothers and sis- 
ters could not see to find a perch ; but the light birds are most liable 


to blindness in old age. 


In selecting cages give preference to any but the brass or gilded 
cage. They are very poisonous, verdigris forming on all foods at- 
tached to the wires. Green-painted cages are also to be avoided. 


Aviaries may be beautified with a small fountain with a very little 
expenditure. Say the aviary is beneath the piazza-roof ; a tin reser- 


118 THE PET CANARY. 


voir—a small one—may be arranged on the roof to catch the rain as 
it falls ; a small conductor will carry a tiny stream to the fountain- 
pipe below, the elevation or the reservoir giving sufficient impetus to 
the stream to send it up again in a shower of spray. Any ingenious 
man may construct the entire thing of materials such as farmers or 
mechanics commonly keep in their workshops. There is nothing 
more pleasing to house-birds than a spray-bath at the fountain. 


In closing this work, that our sister admirers of the canary may 
find the difficulties of keeping a fair-sized aviary in health and song 
materially lessened, we append the recipes of three valuable invigor- 
ators, each one of which is worth more than thrice the cost of this 
volume ; and are equal to any in the market. In fact, those “ invig- 
orators ” generally sold to the public are—save in one or two instances 
—far inferior in effect, besides being very costly for the Sprint of 
strength each bottle contains. 

For all diseases of lungs, throat (asthma, consumption, ete.), weak- 
ness, drooping in the moulting-season, bowel derangements, and all 
cases attributable to colds-and impaired vigor, the two first are found 
always efficient. 


No. 1.—INVIGORATOR. 


Canary Wines... . 2.05.45 hee ee 2 ounces. 
Simple syrup (made of rock-candy) ....... 4 drachms. 
Firwein (flaid):-. 0.8.0 4035-4 eae 1 drachm. 
Tincture Of WON. )..5.. bee s+» «vo 1 scruple. 
Water s..060 05s, se cas ee % pint. 


If a quart of water be added to this prescription the usual strength 
is acquired which is found in the best patented invigorators. It 
keeps best not to be diluted, however, until ready to use, when one 
drop will be sufficient for a common drinking-cup when the bird is — 
sick ; but used once a week, merely to keep the health.and song vigor- 
ous, one drop will supply two cups. 


No. 2.—InvicgoraTtorR AND SPECIFIC FOR COLDs. 


Canary wine +...) 06 isa aa een ewes oe ee 2 ounces. 
Syrup of rock-candy. (cia eae ds eo Se 4 drachms. 
Syrup of squills...)) gata. mia ae 2 drachms. 
Tincture of Won’. \ 4/4 sadareetee eee ae 1 scruple. 


Water..... Pasretce ty & Perret. 


THE PET CANARY. 119 


In using No. 2, care must be taken to keep the bird out of 
draughts of air, and the bath must not be allowed the same day. The 
squills is opening to the pores, which makes the partaker susceptible 
to chills. For this reason—although one of the best invigorators ex- 
tant—we give preference to the first prescription—as will, we think, 
all fanciers who will give it atrial. The squills has been in com- 
mon use many years as a general specific for birds’ ailments. The 
firwein must soon take its place, as it possesses far rarer qualities as 
a specific, and requires less caution in the using. 

We do not claim that disease will always yield to these “ Invigor- 
ators,’ because it often attains a settled or chronic condition, which 
obliges the owner of the sick pet to cast aside all general health pro- 
moters and settle upon a systematic doctoring ; when the “ Chapter 
on Diseases,” will be found indispensable. But taken in time, either 
of these ‘“‘Invigorators” will be found to act like a charm. Long- 
continued cases of hoarseness, loss of voice, hard breathing, etc., etc., 
will readily give way with their use. 

No. 2 is given in same dose as No. 1. Used as specific—to pre- 
vent disease—one-half drop to a drinking-cup ; weaker yet if the bird 
appears to dislike the taste—which is scarcely perceptible in the 
strongest dose ; yet some birds cannot take squills all the day—how- 
ever weak—without a sickening feeling. 

The prescriptions can be filled by the apothecary. 

The third prescription is to be used in bilious attacks, dyspepsia, 
humor, constipation, and kindred complaints. 


No. 3.—CoRrREcCTOR. 


OE ES So ay a ae ray 2 ounces. 
MMR CRN Sars RP sta sy sae ayaa! ee cs ea 2 drachms. 
Sulphur (homeceopathic, third dilution) .... 1 drachm. 
Nux vomica (homceopathic, third dilution). 2 drachms. 
TIS Ce Bok tee a a a rs 4+ pint. 


A drop in the drinking-cup once a week for breeding birds keeps 
them in a high order of health, and seems to convey a strengthening 
principle to the ovum. Try it. | 

It is well to remember that preventive care ranges far ahead of 
curative care, and so give our pets such choice and regular attention 


_ as will keep them in continuous health. And birds in perfect health 


should never be dosed with any sort of medicine, not even with a 


120 THE PET CANARY. 


drop of the “Invigorator,” for it is as injurious to stimulate a bird 
in perfect health as to stimulate a man in perfect health. In both 
cases the healthful balance is lost ; bad feelings, languor, inertia, will 
result, the heralds of a pronounced disease. 

Yet, ‘“‘in the best regulated families accidents will occur,” and the 
hitherto healthful bird becomes the victim of some unforeseen disor- 
der ; in which case we humbly submit these cures of our experience 
to your study, confident the fair trial of either one will win deserved 
encomiums, Con amore, 


a 


——  - - 
a 


72 sl ell 91). DD 


EDITED BY E. B. FOOTE, M.D. 


ADDITIONAL FACTS AND NARRA- 
TIVES. 


3? : HIS appendix is added at the 
suggestion of the publishers. 
It has been the agreeable task of 


ers while the written pages of 
+ the author were being put into 
type. Several communications have passed 
between the author and the editor of this 
additional matter while the mechanical work 
has been in progress. These letters contain 
some additional facts and narratives which 
may be regarded as instructive and inter- 
esting. Then, too, there is a valuable les- 
son to be drawn from the publication of a 
work of this character, and it will not be 
overlooked in the concluding pages. 

First of all, let us call attention to the 
pretty pictures of the canary, as presented 
on the two covers. They are from orig- 
inal sketches supplied by the author. The 
chromo artist has tried to give the colors 
true to life, and has succeeded as well as 
could be expected, although it is due to 
Mrs. Farwell to say that he has not made 
them so lifelike and true as she gave them 
in the pictures drawn by colored crayons. 
Perhaps it was hardly possible ; indeed, as 
impossible as it would be for a ‘‘ penny-a- 
liner’’ to give the feeling advice in the care 
of the pet canary that she has given. 

Says the author: ‘‘I am well aware that 
to the experienced knight of the quill this 
work of mine will disclose many imperfec- 
tions, both in arrangement and composi- 
tion; but I trust the good-will of its im- 
port may, to some extent, counterbalance 
them. 

‘*Common-sense composition is new prac- 
tice to my pen, long saddled to the butterfly 
back of fiction ; therefore, I hope the learned 
and practical critic will do me the kind jus- 
tice to see—and sympathize with the fact 


the writer to look after the print- | 


—that, in rowing my boat outside the nov- 
elist’s current, the waters become naturally 
both strange and roughly obtuse to me; 
and if I sometimes jar upon a rock, or brush 
heavily over bedded sands, I yet am doing 
my ablest to keep in sight of the land at my 
prow.” 

Perhaps the ‘‘experienced knight of the 
quill’? could excel her in the matters of 
which she speaks ; but no one, for mere pe- 
cunlary compensation, could prepare such 
a work as this. 

‘**T am not versed in medical lore,” again 
says this lady, ‘‘and so lack much in the 
expression of those ideas which the di- 
ploma-ed physician trilis so neatly, but I 
think the novitiate rendering within these 
pages will be quicker comprehended by 
those who do not own the physicians’ di- 
plomas; and as it is for the masses I am 
writing, there can be little doubt the plain, 
simple facts relative to the universally-kept 
canary, being plainly and simply phrased, 
will prove more acceptable and beneficial 
than would the Latin in which scula- 
plus disguises his tongue to awe the world 
withal.” 

That is plain speaking, but Asculapius 
can digest it, and good-naturedly acknowl- 
edge its pith as profoundly true. But we 
see no necessity to apologize for the literary 
character of Mrs. Farwell’s work. She doés 
not base her medical treatises on a tech- 
nical education, but on that practical com- 
mon sense which evolves from experience 
in nursing both the human creature and 
the feathered tribe, having applied, and 
successfully, the same general treatment to 
each. 

Where good writing could be used effect- 
ively in touching the heart of the reader, 
so as to make him understand the true 
nature of his helpless little pets, Mrs. Far- 
well has performed it beautifully, nay, elo- 
quently, When giving directions in regard 


122 


to feeding, dosing, etc., it is difficult for 
the writer to rise above commonplace, and 
the careless jottings of the pen in some in- 
stances may seem fragmentary. Albeit, all 
that has been attempted in this line isa 
success, because it does convey to the most 
ordinary reader, in the plainest language 
and without unnecessary phraseology, the 
practical advice needed by those who have 
the care of canaries. Any attempt at lit- 
erary excellence in this practical depart- 
ment would have been liable to render its 
recommendations less clear and comprehen- 
sible to the common mind. 

How well prepared, by nature and real 
sympathy with the canary family, our au- 
thor is to treat on the management of the 
pets under consideration, is illustrated by 
an incident related in a private letter. She 
concludes a communication to the writer of 
this appendix by saying: ‘‘I have but my 
right hand at liberty in this writing, the 
left being occupied by a pet singer who has 
had a leg amputated. It is the first acci- 
dent in my aviary. I was away when he 
got caught by the leg, and he fluttered un- 
til the lower part of the leg and claws were 
all broken and twisted beyond our power 
to save. He hung thus fully eighteen hours, 
and was a very sick bird when discovered. 
I am trying to alleviate his pain as much 
as possible; have been up with him three 
successive nights. Foolish,am I? But I 
cannot sleep, and leave him to suffer from 
the terrible fever and thirst which are de- 
vouring him, and—kill him, we can’t! In 
spite of fever, I think he will recover. He 
takes medicine as docilely as a child, but is 
utterly helpless now.”” The reader will no 
doubt feel interested to know how the little 
patient came out. It must be said that he 
died, in spite of the close care and attention 
he received. One who can thus patiently 
sit up nights to ameliorate the sufferings of 
a pet canary that has undergone the ampu- 


tation of a leg, is the very one to prepare a | 


book like this for the guidance of those who 
indulge in feathered pets. 


HUMAN NATURE AND BIRD 
NA'TURE. 


Ags HE reader cannot have at- 

s* tentively perused the fore- 
going pages without perceiving 
that many of the characteristics 
found in human nature crop 
out in bird nature. If man in 
his evolution had some time 
been a member of the canary family, we 
should say that he had held on to many of 
the hereditary traits of his feathered an- 
cestors; but the real secret of the bird- 
nature, as we see it, is perhaps better ex- 
plained in an extract from a letter from 


- 


APPENDIX. 


the author, which will come~in by-and-by. — 


Just now we desire to quote from a lecture 
delivered at Boston, some ten years ago, by 
the gifted poet and platform speaker, Mrs. 
Augusta Cooper Bristol. She was speaking 
of ‘‘Human Nature and its Relations,” and 
in the course of her address related an in- 
teresting story of ‘‘ Pip aND Bippy.”’ 

‘‘ Long before I had ever read Darwin,” 
said Mrs. Bristol, ‘‘ I had become convinced 
of the unity of man’s nature with the order 
of life below him, from observing the life 
and habits of a pair of canaries which be- 
longed tome. Pip and Biddy were an inter- 
esting study, not only to the ornithologist, 
but to the student of human nature. With 
them, and as is usually the case every- 
where, the honeymoon—the season of per- 
fect bliss—ended with the advent of off- 
spring. Biddy, her loveno longer undivided, 
and burdened with new responsibilities, be- 
gan to realize that Pip’s husbandly at- 
tentions were sometimes annoying. She 
was happy and amiable when he would 
assume the duties of parentage, feed and 
brood the little ones while she took a hur- 
ried bath and hasty meal; but when he 
thought only of himself, and persisted in 
love demonstrations, Biddy grew some- 
times very indignant, and, in the strength 
of the larger love of motherhood, would 
battle him from the perch, and hold him 
at bay as long as she chos>. And although 
Pip’s manhood seemed to deteriorate in 
some directions under such ignominious 
defeat, yet it developed his powers of strat- 
egy. A white thread hung down from the 
bottom of the nest which I had made for 
Biddy, and, during his hours of defeat, Pip 
would jerk this thread with his bill so hard 
as to rudely jostle Biddy, and keep her in 
a constant state of wonderment and appre- 
hension ; for, as he was directly under the 
nest, just out of her range of vision, she 
never seemed to quite comprehend the cause 
of her disturbed equilibrium. Biddy, like 
the most of her sex, was fastidious, had an 
eye for the beautiful, to which the love- 
element within her held evident relation, 
for whenever Pip bathed he became miracu- 
lously ugly. Every separate feather quit 
neighboring with its fellow in an uncom- 
mon individuality wholly disgusting to 
Biddy, who in all her ablutions never suc- 
ceeded in making quite so shocking a spec- 
tacle of herself. ‘That it was distaste, in- 
stead of anger, that disturbed her at these 
times was evident from the fact that, with 
neck outstretched toward the object of her 
disgust, she expressed herself in a shrill, 
voluble, exclamatory note which could be 
nothing more nor less than scolding. When 
enraged, nothing but a pitched battle sat- 


isfied her. Biddy could draw an inference, _ 
which a little incident conclusively illus- | 


¥ . 


APPENDIX. 


trates. One very cold night in the winter 
season I concluded to move the cage from 
the room in which it usually hung to an- 
other more comfortable and even in tem- 
perature. I lifted and carried it with such 
care that the two birds asleep upon the 
perch were not awakened. But, in placing 
the cage upon the table where I had de- 
cided to let it remain for the night, I did 
not lift it high enough, and the corner of 
the cage hitting the corner of the table, 
Biddy was rudely jostled from the perch, 
but Pip, being the lighter and more agile, 
was able to preserve his equilibrium and 
maintain his elevated position. Biddy, who 
had never suffered inconvenience or dis- 
placement except through Pip’s wonderful 
powers of strategy, immediately inferred 
that the whole mischief was attributable 
to him, and dashing at him in furious in- 
dignation, she routed him from the perch 
into the corner of the cage, where he cow- 
ered through all the hours of darkness, 
only now and then giving a faint chirp in 
order to assure his indignant spouse that 
while he had the ‘“‘ spirit of a man in him 
he would speak out.” But as every true 
wife proves sooner or later the reality of 
her attachment, so did Biddy prove the in- 
tensity of her love for Pip. One day she 
seemed to grow sick, and fearing that her 
disease might prove contagious, | removed 
her to another cage. For some time, from 
judicious reasons, I hardened my heart 
against her apparent loneliness, as she sat 
moping upon the perch, till one day I was 
so touched by her listless despair that I 
restored her to her mate. Biddy’s joy was 
too great for her feeble strength. She gave 
a succession of sharp cries of detight, her 
wings trembled in an ecstasy of joy, till 
she finally sank upon the floor of the cage, 
and in a few hours her eyes were dim in 
death! Pip was mystified, perhaps shocked 
by this sudden dénouement; yet he evi- 
dently mourned not as one without hope, 
for soon after the floor of his cage fell out, 
and away he flew into the woodland with a 
carol that made the forest palpitate with 
song, his melody all thrilling with the re- 
alization and expectancy of new freedom 
and another mate. Human nature again!” 


MRS. FARWELL’S EXPLANATION. 


Mow} * UR author hearing the story 
of Pip and Biddy, did not quite 
agree with Mrs. Bristol in her 
conclusions, Nevertheless, the 
views of the former, it will be 
perceived, do not antagonize 
those of the latter, when she 
said she had ‘‘become convinced of the 
unity of man’s nature with the order of 


123 


| life below him.” But Mrs. Farwell has 
another way of explaining it. Referring 
| to the concluding portion of Mrs. Bristol’s 
story, where she speaks of Pip soaring off 
over the woods singing—singing, leaving 
his dead mate in the cage, our author says: 

‘* As you have astutely noticed the mag- 
netic link which runs through a family, 
showing in each individual certain habits, 


traits of character, methods of reasoning, 
etc., you will not feel inclined to doubt my 
assertion, that the canary kept in any 
family soon acquires the same traits of 
character which are strongest developed in 
the family, and the person who cares for 
him or to whom he is most attached. To 
observe the resemblance to character be- 
tween my birds and self would afford you 
amusing study. A pair of birds kept ina 
quarrelsome family will quarrel the greater 
part ofthe time. Those reared in the hands 
of the selfish will be sure to have selfish 
propensities. A pair of birds belonging to 
a couple who quarrelled a great deal gave 
us much amusement, 'The wife was jeal- 
ous and quick-tempered; the husband 
rather lax in morals, fond of a joke, and 
particularly fond of tantalizing his wife 
when in one of her furies. He would whistle, 
laugh, joke, kiss or fondle her, and then 
get vexed out of reason and storm back; 
presently he would leave the house and kill 
care in naughty sports, while his wife, left 
aione, would either have a cry or sulk un- 
til a chance occurred for ‘humble making- 
up,’ as the phrase goes. Their birds, which 
we had the care of for a year, evinced ex- 
actly the same traits. If Dick looked at 
another bird he was whipped unmercifully, 
but he good-naturedly stood his ground at 
first. He would offer to feed her, sing his 
sweetest strains to her, go to the nest and 
talk over all the pretty facts appertaining 
thereto; but she would hear to nothing. 
I’inally he would spread his wings, face her, 
and pour forth his song until it seemed as 
if his little throat must burst with the vol- 
ume. Sometimes, at this stage, she marched 
quietly about her business, thus signifying 
the quarrel had reached as high a point as 
she felt able to encounter; but at other 
times she would throw herself upon theim- 
pudent singer and peck at him most vi- 
ciously. At this juncture, we one day 
opened the cage door, to give Dick a van- 
tage for self-preservation. 'Together they 
both tumbled forth, she not losing her hold, 
and he flew to the floor ere he was able to 
shake himself free ; and then, oh! the per- 
formance was well worth looking at! With 
wing and tail feathers spread and dragging, . 
he danced before his astonished spouse, 
singing such a wild pean of triumph as 
was never sung by a bird before. How he 
danced around! Round and round he con- 


124 


tinued to go, the ends of his toes barely 
touching the floor, his song swelling louder 
and louder; and Mrs. Katie could only 
crouch and regard him with wonder-wide 
eyes. Ere long she assumed a humble as- 
pect, crept tv her crazy liege’s feet, and 
said something in the softest, most suppli- 
cating tones possible. At once the proudly- 
poised head drooped to hers, along quaver- 
ing note cut short in the act, and he was 
feeding to her the whole contents of his 
crop, their reconcilement perfect. The 
docility and admiration tendered her liege 
lord the next few days was a sublime thing 
to witness; but then there came another 
difference, Dickie not wishing to shorten 
his vocal exercise to feed her on the instant 
she called. ‘They were a very smart, intel- 
ligent pair of birds, but so long as they 
lived they kept up these hot disputations. 
A pair of birds kept in a nursery, with a 
sweet little girl as companion and mistress, 
were directly opposite the above pair in 
disposition. I had their management one 
season while the child was sick. She was 
all affection, ready to close her tiny arms 
about one’s neck, or put up her soft mouth 
to k#ss the face bent forward to hcr own. 
No pair of love birds ever caressed each 
other more constantly than did this pair. 
When the male bird sang, the female sat at 
his side, and either tried to supplement his 
notes with hers, or gazed at him with idola- 
trous expression. ‘They ate together, chat- 
ting softly upon (we used to say) the quality 
of the food. Their nest—the eggs—well, I 
cannot relate the story and do justice to it, 
as the manner of the little pair was far too 
sweet for expression; but when the eggs 
failed to hatch, she told him time was up; 
something was wrong! He got into the nest 
and tried to hatch them himself. No bet- 
ter result! Finally, after many discus- 
sions, they agreed to sit no more! I re- 
moved the eggs. She laid three more, and 
they both sat upon them. Probably this 
was agreed upon during those discussions, 


for they stuck to the business until the | 


eggs hatched—two of them. Such devotion 


as those babes received could not be equalled. | 


To be brief, the mother never again had a 


nest which her mate did not aid in devel- | 


oping during the term of incubation. He 
evidently got the idea from the non-success 
of the first—that the case required the 
joint warmth of both of their bodies. He 
seemed to like the fun too. In all their 
little lives they had never seen other than 
those phases of love which are purest and 
holiest, and the influences thereof were 
vividly portrayed in these tiny pets, even 
as the devotion of love or the exhibition of 
hatred is portrayed in the development of 
children, either softening or hardening 
their natures.” 


APPENDIX. 


Many other little anecdotes, for which 
space can hardly be spared, have been re- 
lated by the author to illustrate the con- 
tagion of character between the family and 
its pets. But if we were to leave off here 
the consideration of this branch of the sub- 
ject, the true cause of the flight and song 
of Pip, when he left Biddy stone-dead, 
might be misinterpreted. Our author has 
a plausible way of accounting for the pecu- 
liar conduct of Pip on this mournful occa- 
sion, without calling in question his faith- 
fulness to Biddy, or reflecting unfavorably 
on his human examplars in the light of the 
new philosophy. Mrs. Farwell says that in 
the close study of canaries she has never 
met a case where the mate at once left the 
dead companion to seek another ; therefore, 
she maintains that Mrs. Bristol’s deduction 
was quite wrong, though natural enough to 
one who knows little of the inner character 
of these birds. ‘‘ There is,” says Mrs. Far- 
well, ‘‘a period of grief more lengthy with 
the female than the male bird, yet he mani- 
fests very openly always that his little heart 
has been sorely touched. Judging from the 
warm attachment ever existing between 
Mrs. Bristol’s birds, and deducting from 
the known general character of the cana- 
ries, [should say this little fellow soared, 
singing, away from his dead mate in an 
ecstasy of misery, even as a newly-caged 


lark frequently sings itself to death in a 


vain protest against its confinement. What 
would our poetess do in an exaltation of 
misery ? She would soon snatch her pen, 


; and pour forth her soul in wildest heart- 


breaking song, and never drop the theme 
until the whole story of the storm-tossed 
heart was told. Then, relieved, she would 
go back to prosaic life again, feeling ra- 
tional. That is generally the style of pas- 
sion-poets like Shelley, Byron, etc., who 
wore their hearts into early graves through 
this same ecstatic poet-sympathy. Had 
Mrs. Bristol lived in their time, she too 
would have died in comparative youth; 
but the freedom and refined liberal civiliza- 
tion of this century preserves the untram- 
melled thinker from such martyrdom as was 
encountered in Shelley’s life, with conserv- 
atism so barbarously conservative as it 
then was. Perhaps I magnify Mrs. Bris- 
tol’s powers of temperament, but I cannot 
look in her face and believe she is minus 
that cyclonic strength of exaltation of 
which I have been writing, or credit that 
it was any other sentiment that caused the 
bird to soar off in such an ecstasy of song. 
He undoubtedly went on thus until ex- 
hausted, or until some wary hawk or other 
bird of prey settled upon the hopeless song~ 
ster, and ended the sweet strain with one 
stroke of those cruel talons, or one wrench 
of the terrible hooked beak. Be sure of 


ot ti. ieee 


APPENDIX. 


this—no house-bred bird ever yet lived to | 


find a mate in the woodland wilds, for they 
are not cunning enough in woodland craft 
to hide from preying birds, or sufficiently 
fleet of wing to get away from the winged 
pursuer. It is no mercy to turn house-pets 
into the open heavens to find a livelihood, 
for they do not know the first rudiments 
of such a life, and will surely either die, or 
go and beg a home at some hospitable man- 
sion, always providing that the hawk or 
some other bird of prey does not get them. 
So, though I cannot accept the simile face- 
tiously presented of the bird manifesting 
much of human nature in thus quickly 
seeking another wife, I can appreciate the 
sense in which it is used, and have my 
laugh with Mrs. Bristol over the instability 
of the average human creature.” 

In what Mrs. Farwell says in regard to 
the canary bird acquiring the character- 
istics of the family in which it is reared 
and cared for, it will be observed that she is | 
quite in accord with the views of the editor 
of this appendix, as expressed in “‘ Plain 


Home Talk, embracing Medical Common 
Sense.” On pages 197-8 of this volume 
will be found the following: ‘‘ Man fills the 
whole animal world with magnetism, bear- 
ing more or less of his qualities of mind and 
disposition. Place a good man for a while } 
in the magnetic atmosphere of those who 
are bad, even if the latter be mute or asleep, 
the good qualities of the former will be in 
a measure modified. No one can habitu- | 


ally live in the atmosphere of wicked peo- 
ple without being in some degree contam- 
inated. There are places which good men 
cannot enter withovt having their moral 
nature somewhat injured. Now, if men 
are so much under the influence of their 
fellow-men, may not the inferior animals 
be also affected by the moral atmosphere of: 
mankind? We find, where men are the 
most savage, most brutal, and most given 
to the pastimes of torturing and killing, 
that there, too, animals of all kinds exhibit 
the most bloodthirsty instincts. The same 
animals, removed to regions of civilization, 
and among men of greater kindliness of, 
feeling, lose much of their savage disposi- | 
tion ; and, too, these ferocious animals are 
often subdued by the presence of one noble, 
generous man. . . All successful | 
tamers of ferocious animals, as well as our 
best horse-trainers, are men of kind hearts. 
It is impossible to subdue the tiger with a 
club, or 2 vicious horse with a whip; and 
may it not be that the promised millennial 
era, ‘ when the lionand lamb shall lie down 
together,’ will make its advent on earth so 
soon as man shall have subdued all his cruel 
passions—so soon as he shall recognize the 
rights of animals of every grade to exist 
and enjoy life—shall love his neighbor as 


125 


himself—and shall Jove everything that 
creeps upon the earth, because he is im- 
pressed with the fact that he is related to 
ti 

In the face of this philosophy, however, 
as expounded by Mrs. Farwell, it will not 
do in all cases to judge of a family’s char- 
acter from the conduct of its pets. Even 
the law of heredity sometimes miscarries, 
and if we cannot safely measure the con- 
duct of parents by that of their children, 
there must be many exceptions to the rule 
laid down by our author in accounting for 
the queer antics of family pets, as well as 
their praiseworthy virtues. And, again, 
this view of the subject does not militate 
against the proposition that human nature 
is quite commonly reflected in bird-nature. 
Mrs. Farwell herself relates a story which 
strikingly corroborates it. 


THE STORY OF PINKIE, PHYLLIS, 
AND BUTTERCUP. 


WOW ‘Tam going to relate an- 
other little true story. [had to 
sell last spring a tame singer I 
much prized, Pinkie by name, 
lest he keep me too thoroughly 

PONG occupied with his antics. He 
felt the enchantments of Phyllis—a female 


D, 


_canary—so deeply, no other could distract 


his attention. She, however, reciprocated 
the suit of another songster—Buttercup by 


-name—and entered with him the hymeneal 


state, constructed her nest, and reared 
young. Yet Pinkie could not give her up. 
He was incompetent to whip Buttercup off 
the field, so ke accepted the inevitable in 
so far as he was compelled to. He took 
Topsy, a female topknot, for his spouse, 
but all his love and care were given to 
Phyllis. Mark the human in his conduct. 
Topsy was enforced to keep her vows invio- 
late to him; also obliged to rear her young 
all alone, while her lord and master kept 
hovering tenderly by Phyllis’ nest, ready to 
feed her younglings or her the instant But- 
tercup was out of sight—and Buttercup was 
a first-class husband and father. He ob- 
jected to Pinkie’s devotion, and gave him 
a lesson each time he caught him sneaking 
about. But it was to no purpose. By 
Phyllis he would stay and help her in her 
domestic duties. It was a cunning scene 
to watch, and had he been less tyrannical to 
poor little Topsy, I would have let it go on 
for the fun in it. It did goon for two years, 
I being obliged to interfere almost daily to 
save 'l'opsy a jealous drubbing, or separate 
Pinkie and Buttercup. So, being a most 
excellent singer, a friend fancied Pinkie 
and purchased him, much to my relief. 
Now Buttercup is left in peaceful posses- 


126 


sion of his wee wife, and Topsy has taken 
a more congenial mate, whose cares and af- 
fections are not divided. Such wonderful 
tales I could tell of these little creatures ! 
People who have never studied birds or 
beasts little realize the marvellous instincts 
they possess, or the divinity of the moral 
principles that guide them.” 


Wy 


YPN! yyy 
4/) Hy, j 


APPENDIX. 


success when the female bird has ever at- mh 


tached herself to a mate of her own spe- 
cies, or when she has been allowed to real- 
ize that there exist male birds of her own 
kind. 1 have seen the breeding canary 
nearly destroyed by its wratbful alien 
mate. Those who have never witnessed 
the realities of interbreeding can scarcely 


SCOTCH FANCY CANARY. 
[From an original sketch by Mrs. Farwell.] 


ALIEN MATES. 


regard to alien mates may 
properly find place in this 
connection. In writing of the 
care of the pet canary she 
says: ‘I did not give the sub- 
ject of inter-breeding the thor- 
ough handling I might have done, for two 
reasons: First, there is too much cruelty 
in the business to make me wish it prac- 
tised universally. It can be done with no 


imagine how wickedly tyrannical the male 
alien birds are in the breeding season, when 


the current of true love does not run 


smooth, to use a trite quotation. 


various birds that can be interbred with 
canaries would have nearly doubled the 
size of the book, as those birds must gen- 
erally receive special treatment ere they 
are allowed to pay their respects to theix 
future consorts. Furthermore, while they 


require the same general treatment as the 
| canary, they do not thrive well unless given 


‘* Secondly, to give accurate detail of the | 


APPENDIX. 


a little different care. Fanciers are apt to | 
talk too slightingly of the needs of birds. | 
Should circumstances warrant the produc- 
tion of another volume, to be devoted to- 
forest pets, the subject of interbreeding will 
receive avery natural discussion, along with 
a description of birds, their habits, foods, 
and possibilities of civilized handling.” 


Vy Ay 
\ AVR 


4 
) 


127 


of horny color and expression: the Ortolan 
and Poephila, or Grassfinch—classed Poe- 
phila-Leucotis, or white-eared Grassfinch.” 
Describing the Citrilfinch, the author says: 
‘‘Tt is of a lemon color, and generally 
known as Lemonfinch. It is not a Gold- 
finch; it has a paler color and shorter 
bill.” 


SY 
Sa 


ied 
owe 


YORKSHIRE CANARY. 
[From an original sketch by Mrs, Farwell.] 


A few points, however, supplied by Mrs. | THE SCOTCH FANCY AND YORK-~ 


Farwell in a subsequent letter, may be profit- 
ably added. ‘‘The chaffinch (male) will 
interbreed,” she says, ‘‘ with the canary 
hen, and with far more profit than does the 
Bullfinch.” In further explanation of 
some of the birds spoken of previously, she 
remarked: ‘‘ The Serinfinch has a small 
horny bill, and is well colored. I have al- 
ways called the Ortolan the Serin. I see 
Mr. Rittenhause mentions two finches as 
Serin—both having small thick mandibles 


SHIRE. 


FTER all of this volume, ex- 
cepting the appendix, was in 
type, a letter was received 
from Mrs. Farwell, enclosing 
two more original sketches, 
_- giving the conformation of 
the Scotoh Fancy and Yorkshire, and even 
the colors of those specimens from which 
she copied, 


128: 


In reproducing these sketches we shall 
attempt nothing further than to give the 
contour of these birds. 

‘The Scotch Fancy of her sketch is cer- 
tainly a very beautiful creature, the breast 
plumage being a deep yellow, and extend- 
ing to points above and back of the shoul- 
ders and fore-neck, while from the crown of 
the head to nearly the tips of his wings a 
greenish color predominates. Much of the 
cinnamon shade edges the long pennons, 
and appears intermixed with the green of 
the back body. The tail feathers merge 
into yellow more than white. 

In Mrs. Farwell’s letter, accompanying 
the sketches, she says: ‘* Until early the 

resent week I never saw either of these 
foe so could not add them to the sketches 
previously supplied. Iwas then convinced 
the Scotch Fancy alluded to in Mr. Ritten- 
hause’s notes meant the Belgian, and the 
Yorkshire and French were identical; and 
especially as Mr. IT’. Hammond—an excel- 
lent scholar in ornithology, and fancier in 
a seclusive way—approved my belief in the 
matter, was I the more assured of it; so 
went to work on the subjects in hand qz=ite 
confident that they comprised all the strains 
ofthe canary then extant. 

‘‘But Monday morning of this week [I 
was surprised to have some beautiful speci- 
mens of these two birds placed before me 
by the hand of this same Mr. Hammond, 
who found them in the large bird-rooms of 
his friend—I think, am quite sure, he found 
them at Murphy’s—and obtained the loan 
of them for half a day, for the purpose of 
having their pictures taken. Though half 
fearing they would be in too late to be of 
service, [ felt it a duty to prepare them 
and brave the chances, since the book could 
not be complete without some notice of 
strains so notable. 

‘‘The Scotch Fancy, as you will ob- 
serve, has a curved form—a hooped body— 
which gives him a very odd look when sit- 
ting on the perch. He resembles a half 
oval, almost, the end of his tail being nearly 
on a line with the tip of his beak. ‘This 
one was valued at $40, while the York- 
shire was valued at $25, both being so very 
rare, you see. 

‘‘ These fancy strains are always difficult 
to breed, and so must command good 
prices. The Belgian—or humped canary— 
is often sold for nearly its weight in gold. 
Good specimens, to this day, fetch as high 
as $125, although it is among the earliest 
of the fancy strains. The French bird is 
not so rare or so expensive, being more of 
the natural form, the only difference per- 
ceptible being the long, straight legs, large 
shoulders, and the length, which yet does 
not seem to be as great as that of the new 
strain—the Yorkshire. The Scotch Fancy 


APPENDIX, 


is thus named because first_bred in Scot-. 


land, and the other was produced in York- 
shire, England, just as the Lancashire copy 
was first bred in Lancashire. Some call 
the copy the Manchester, but they do not 
understand that the Lancashire, though 
having the same style of crest as the Man- 
chester, has always a yellow body and brown 
crest, while the Manchester may have any 
other colors and markings or tickings, save 
those arrogated to the Lancashire. 

‘‘ Now, to return tothe Yorkshire. It is 
a very long, slim, straight bird, with shoul- 
ders that look rather queer, they are so 
low. The body seems scarcely larger in cir- 
cumference than the head ; this appearance 
being dte-to low shoulders and a general 
elongation of the whole body, for it really 
is much larger than the head. I+ is—like 
the Scotch Fancy—valuable in any color or 
combination of colors, because it is not 
easy to breed a good specimen. By the 
way, I forgot to state in the proper place 
that the 'l'op-knot or Turn-crest is often 
known as the Norwich crest. Why so 
called I do not at present know, but am 
going to try and learn. Of course, I will 
not be selfish enough to hoard the mighty 
truth once it is discovered, but will dis- 
seminate the same for the curious to handle 
aswell. 

‘*T am assured that the sketches now in 
hand embrace all the true strains of the 
canary, unless we except the Cayenne- 
pepper bird, and that can hardly be classed 
as a real strain, because the free use of the 
pepper will transform any of the canaries 
into red-plumed birds. All the others are 
born to those colors, beauties or ugliness 
in form and feather, which give them li- 
cense to classification as fancy strains. 

‘‘T suppose you know there has long ex- 
isted in England a society especially devot- 
ed to the improvement of petbirds. Most 
of these fancy styles of the canary were 
there developed, and it will be strange if 
we do not soon learn that some able ex- 
perimenter has conceived and produced 
something yet more remarkable and worthy 
than is now attainable.” 


LONGEVITY OF THE CANARY. 


OMETHING may be added 
which may prove of interest re- 
garding the longevity of the can- 
ary family. ‘‘'T'wo years ago,”’ 
Mrs. Farwell writes, ‘‘I saw a 
canary eighteen years old, which 
died within that same year. ‘The 
age of this one we thought remarkable, it 
being three years older than any canary I 


had ever seen or heard of; but I have dis- 


—  . - 


APPENDIX. 


covered another instance which, it seems to 
me, can have no parallel. In this place 
(Vineland) resides a family that lost in 
February a pet canary that had been with 
them twenty-eight years. Think of that! 
Twenty-eight vears old! He was a strong 
singer up to his fifteenth year, when his 
notes became less vivid, and as the years 
increased the voice grew more feeble, until 
at last it seemed like a meaningless warble. 
His sight was good, and he was sprightly 
up to the last, except that he slept later in 
the morning and took daily siestas. When 
this story first reached me, I was inclined 
to treat it as an exaggerated ‘ Jersey yarn,’ 
but I this morning had a conversation with 
an aged member of the family in which the 
bird lived and died, and she gave me the 
details. When the bird died, they felt as 
if they had been bereaved of a child.”’ 

It is needless to add that a canary must 
be well cared for to reach half the age of 
the one referred to in the foregoing. Just 
as the human family tamper with their 
health, and in some instances change the 


color of their hair, the bird-fanciers, it 
seems, sometimes tamper with the health | 


and life of the canary to enhance the beauty 
of his plumage. These facts are also pre- 
sented in a letter received a few days before 
this volume was ready for the press. 
have just learned,” says Mrs. Farwell, ‘‘ the 
deleterious effects upon the canary’s system 
of the lately fashionable habit of coloring 
the feathers with cayenne-pepper. From 
my own observation, L knew it was injuri- 
ous to thus dose the bird, but not having 
experimented with it to any extent, could 
give no statistics. The effect of red pepper 


on the feathers was accidentally learned by | 
is highly injurious, and cuts short the life 


a fancier who, during the moulting period, 
allowed some of his birds to contract colds. 
To warm their chilled blood, and -with 


hopes to cure thereby, he began to give | 


them a diet strongly tinctured with pep- 
per, keeping it up many weeks because 
their colds proved obstinate. 
terim the new feathers started, and sur- 


prised the man by unfolding with achanged | 


color—a very good pink ; so he kept on sup- 
plying the cayenne diet until the plumage 
was all out. Perhaps you remember the 
furore this red canary created in—I think 
it was—the fall of 1880. ‘The next year, 


T. Hammond (ornithological student and 


fancier previously alluded to) tried the 
pepper on two dozen canaries, and with 
the best result; some were for sale, others 
for his own experimental use. He kept 
ten for this use. He says they were very 
sensitive to atmospheres, and would shiver 
often if not frequently fed with pepper 
during the seasons following the moult 
and change of color. Then the next fall 
they must again be thus dieted, else the red 


9 


=e 


In the in-| 


129 


tint would not appear on the new plumage. | 
This over-stimulation with pepper acted on 
the nervous economy exactly as stimulants 
act on the nervous structure of the human 
system. Out of the ten, two died from the 
winter rigor the first season, and one other 
lingered till May. The remaining seven 
were again dieted the next fall, but another 
dropped off ere the advent of winter. Six 
now remained, and all possible benefits of 
warm atmosphere, etc., were given; yet 
four died ere the spring was fairly over, 
and of the remaining two only one lived 
till the spring of this year. Feeling con- 
fident that this undue stimulation of the 
blood was not conducive to longevity, Mr. 
Hammond has talked with other fanciers 
who have used it to attract buyers, and 
they admit that it is almost always fatally 
injurious to use it the third season, and 
that few of our frail home-bred birds can 
bear the effects and continue in ordinary 
health, unless given the most tender and 
careful attention. Sometimes a very hardy 
bird will live four years, but they gener- 
ally drop off the winter after the third 
moult; so we may say the average age of 
the pepper-stimulated bird is but three 
years, while that of a bird not so abused is 
seven years, and a large percentage live to 
be nine, ten, and eleven years of age (mine 
do); in rare instances, to fifteen, eighteen, 
and even twenty-eight years. If your ap- 
pendix is not complete, would it not be 
well to introduce this matter for the con- 
sideration of people who ignorantly try 
these abuses on their helpless pets? Cay- 
enne is good for birds if properly and mod- 
erately used—as a relish or medicine—but 
as a stimulant immoderately employed, it 


of the bird.” 


BIRD CULTURE AND RACE CUL- 
TURE. 


‘<O one who attentively reads 
jy these pages can fail to admire 
the painstaking of the sympa- 
thetic and intelligent author in 
embodying not only her own ex- 
perience, but also the experi- 
ence of many others, in the ju- 
dicious mating, feeding, and general care 
of the canary. ‘The question has often 
arisen in our mind whether man is justi- 
fied, humanely speaking, in taking these 
little feathered songsters from their native 
haunts, and imprisoning them for a life- 
time in cages for his diversion. But if 
those who have the care of these little in- 
nocents would watch over them, and do 
for them what our author has suggested in 
this interesting volume, it may well be 


150 


APPENDIX. 


questioned whether the lot of the canary | obtains among the feathered tribes as well 


is not made more agreeable to him when 
he becomes a part of the human family, in 
human civilization, than when he is left to 
chance in the bird family, in the wilds of 
bird barbarism. 

There are those who will say that it isa 
shame to give so much attention to pet 
birds when there are so many little human 
waifs languishing in tenement-houses, strug- 
gling for existence in foundling asylums, or 
dying from neglect on baby farms. ‘The 
answer to this is, that there are thousands 
who can take the directions given by Mrs. 
Farwell, and be the teachers and guardians 
of pet birds, who neither ought to become 
mothers nor the guardians of children, 
simply because their qualities of mind and, 
perhaps, physical characteristics, entirely 
unfit them forsuch responsibility. If, then, 
they have that organ which the phrenolo- 
gist calls ‘‘ Philoprogenitiveness” largely 
developed, shall they be denied the grati- 
fication yielded by the care of birds, or 
may they not satisfy such yearnings by in- 
troducing into their homes a well cared for 
aviary? ‘These reflections are only prelim- 
inary to the suggestion of the most impor- 
tant point of all. When the reader observes 
how minutely practical rules may be given 
for the culture of the canary, the thought 


will naturally intrude itself in the form of | 
an inquiry such as this: If a volume like | 


Mrs. Farwell’s can be prepared for those 
who have the care of birds, why cannot an 
equally practical monograph be written, tell- 


ing just how to rear the human young, and | 


make the most of them? The author of 
such a work should certainly be a mother ; 
not only a mother, but a woman of obser- 
vation ; not only a mother and an observer, 
but one who can commit the information 
she derives from her own experience and 
from questioning others to paper, in a way 
to interest and to captivate the intelligent 
being, yea, even the ordinary mind. Just 
as a picture has greater value set in an ele- 
gant frame, or a jewel greater lustre when 
held in an artistic setting, so must all prac- 
tical information have greater attractive- 
ness to the common, as wellas the higher be- 
ing, when presented by a gifted pen. The 
writer has in mind just such a mother, just 
such an observer, and just such a gifted 
writer, who, if she can be persuaded to give 
her time to the preparation of such a work, 
would place herself among the envied au- 
thors as well as benefactors of mankind. 

It will be observed—and particularly note 
this—that Mrs. Farwell has really discov- 
ered a law of temperamental adaptation in 
the mating of b:rds. She has not given 
names to the temperaments, nor has she 
classified them, but she has given advice 
which shows that the law of temperaments 


as in the human family. She starts out 
by showing the importance of having the 
birdlets born right. To this end she shows 
how the parent pets should be mated, and, 
further, gives directions how the mother 
bird must be cared for during the impor- 
tant period of incubation. ‘he writer for 
the care of babies, in order to present a 
comprehensive and really useful treatise, 
should start out by giving information as 
to the proper mating of human parents, 
and follow closely many of the hints given 
in the rearing of birds, so that the babies 
may be born right. Such information is 
not only attainable, but it can be made 
familiar to the ordinary mind. This work 
on the canary is only one among hundreds 
appertaining to the breeding and rearing of 
domestic animals. 
excites the surprise of the humanitarian, 
that so much has been written of a practi- 
cal character bearing on the culture of the 
domestic animal, when so comparatively 
little has been presented in a comprehen- 
sive way to teach the human being how to 
mate and how to rearits young. Recently, 
at the Liberal Club in New York, when the 
subject under discussion appertained to the 
elimination. of ignorance and superstition 
from the human family, Wilson Macdonald, 
the well-known sculptor, arose and said 
that he hada‘ hobby.” He had just vis- 
ited the horse show at the Madison Square 


| Garden, and had observed how completely 


the stock breeders had developed the horse, 
how rapidly indeed this beautiful animal had 
been improved, through judicious scientific 
methods; and now, he said, so far as prac- 
ticable, we must apply these laws to the 
human family, and in this way more surely 
than in any other, the ignorant masses can 
be elevated, and something like human 
equality brought about. Arising from the 
perusal of this book, the mind of the reader 
must be profoundly impressed with such a 
thought as that which Mr. Macdonald ex- 
perienced after visiting the horse show. 
We can but hope that some one possessing 
all the qualities we have indicated, result- 
ing from experience, observation, and ge- 
nius, may be led to produce a volume—no 
matter how small, so long as it covers the 


necessary ground—that will tella little girl, — 


in language that she can understand, how, 
when she grows to adult age, she may hbe- 
come the intelligent mother of a child that 
shall come into the world without moral, 
physical, or mental blemish. And, having 
led her thus far, the writer can open to her 
mind how she can rear this child in such a 
way as to secure to it internal peace, and 
the daily satisfaction that it is an invalu- 
able member of society. In no other way 
can human reformation and elevation be so 


It is something which. 


APPENDIX. 


surely and even speedily attained. We say 
speedily, because if it takes a thousand 
years, and if each generation can be raised 
up only a little, greater results will be at- 
tained than have ever yet been realized 
within the known history of man. 


THE MEDICAL TREATMENT OF 
THE CANARY. 


S an Eclectic, who abjures 
the use of the more powerful 
mineral remedies, it would 
seem to the writer that the 
materia medica presented by 


measure, improved. We are not prepare:, 
however, to point out just how, as we do 
not feel sufficiently familiar with the physi- 
cal nature of the canary. Until something 
better is presented we should certainly say, 
follow implicitly the rules laid down by our 
author. She has had wide experience in 
the care of the little feathered pets. 
ally, her doses are homceopathic, and her 


Mrs. Farwell might be, in a | 


sents Many new ones. 


Usu- | 


medical practice in the care of her aviary is | 
ting your appendix for my perusal ere giv- 


according to the same school. If mercury 


is to be given, it may better be adminis- 


tered in homceopathic doses. 
writer, in his practice in the human family 
for over thirty years, has never found occa- 
sion to administer a particle of mercury, 
nor has he had much occasion to employ 
opium. The story of tke sick robin is re- 
markable. The doses of morphine admin- 
istered were by no means homceopathic. 
In that instance, the free use of morphia 
seemed to end well, but probably Mrs. Far- 
well herself would hardiy say to anyone of 
her readers, ‘‘go and do thou likewise.” 
Indeed, those doses were not given by her 
advice, nor were they administered to pro- 
mote life, only to ease the death struggles ; 
and the result was a surprise to the giver, 
as it well might be. In the main, we think 
that the directions given for the medical 
management of the canary are judicious. 
The little criticism herein given would 
hardly have been added, except for the fact 
that the editor of the appendix has always 
been known asa botanical practitioner, and 
further, as one opposed to the use, as a 
general rule, of all powerful drugs, whether 
mineral or vegetable. Hence, while en- 
dorsing this work, he wishes, for consist- 
ency’s sake, to point out the one little mat- 
ter of difference, in a medical point of view, 
between the gifted author and himself. It 
may be said, however, that while the 
breeders of domestic animals have sur- 
passed the human family in the production 
of perfect specimens, the pioneers in human 
medicine are somewhat in advance of those 
in veterinary practice in the selection, ma- 


But the> 
she says, 


| 


131 


nipulation. and administration of remedial 
agents. If Mrs. Farwell is not quite up to 
the Hclectic standard, as practised in the 
management of human ills, she is certainiy 


greatly ahead of what is usually taught in 


our veterinary colleges, ana hence she may 
be regarded as a safe adviser in the care of 
the sick as well as the robust canary. 


A REVIEW OF THE EDITOR’S 
WORK. 


& 

EF'TER preparing the forego- 
ing, a large portion of which 
is made up from the print- 
ed letters of the author, we 
thought best to submit it to 
the latter for her revision and 
approval. In return, we have 
a review of our editorial work which em- 
phasizes some important points and pre- 
We therefore beg 
the indulgence of the reader when we ap- 
pend to our appendix the criticism which 
the latter evoked. Mrs. Farwell gracefully 
says: ‘‘ My thanksare due you for submit- 


ing it into the hands of the printer. 

‘*So far as I am competent to judge,” 
‘‘its inferences and the genera] 
kindly character of the entire review do 
credit to yout discernment. Especially do 
I applaud your astute selection of points 
wherewith to eliminate the great fact of 
universal kinship. Howso careless the 
mind, it seems to me your idea, so simply 
and judiciously stated, must take lodgment 
and induce some earnest reflection. 

‘“Who was it said this world did very 
well for so heedlessa world? Iforget; but 
have ever agreed with him that we, as a 
people, do not think enough ; or, at least, 
that we are too self-contained in our 
thoughts and actions. And it is essential 
to the quick advancement of that ‘ perfect 
era’ of which you speak, that we forget to 
hug these seltish propensities—forget our- 
selves, as 1t were—and learn how divinely 
compensating is the love that is sacrificial, 
watchful, and patient. 

“You observe that many may deem ita 
shame to bestow on pets such close study 
and care as my book teaches. I expect to 
hear much of this cant from the selfish- 
hearted, and desire to say to such that 
whoso gathers around them helpless pets, 
thereby depriving them of the natural en- 
joyments which pertain to liberty, place 
themselves under moral obligations to study 
their needs, and do the best they possibly 
can to keep the little prisoners happy and 
in health. 

‘“'Then you proceed with the natural 
quer y—which the minute details of the work 


182 


evoke—‘ Why cannot an equally practical ' 
monograph be written which shall tell bow | 
to rear the human young, and make the 


most of them ?’ 


tion, had no good thought upon this reas- 
oning to connect it with my work, thereby 
furthering its object, you might with jus- 
tice consider the links in my moral philoso- 
phy broken, or only partially developed. 

‘¢Tet me show you how these links glow 
and revolve under the focus of my moral 
penetration. 

‘‘T have shown the reader that the con- 
fidence of the canary can be won only 
through sympathy and love, and that, once 
convinced of the reality of this gentle re- 
gard, he is plastic as wax, can be taught 
wonderful things, and is happy as the day 
islong. Having learned how to realize the 
love of a little bird—and I am glad to per- 


ceive there exists a general ambition to | 


have tame pets—has rot the true key been 
acquired with which may be unlocked the 


reserve, the repulsion, the indifference, and | 


the too common impatience which is keep- 
ing the many from performing generous 
effices for the alleviation of the overbur- 
dened, the sick, and destitute? Must not 
a heart, warmed with a 1eal solicitude for 
its home pets, soon succumb before the 
tide-waves of circumstance, and warm also 
to the outside creature? The patience and 
perseverance practised for the benefit of a 
bird will have laid the corner-stone of a 
sublime strength to sustain the good-souled 
patron in the broader, nobler work which 
thts comes naturally to her or his hands 

‘* Duty is the watchword which the mis- 
sionary, too, universally sings, and which 
sends him forth to undertake benevolent 
tasks among the heathen, the misguided, 
the forsaken ; and their painstaking efforts 
too seldom are repaid by the results. Why? 


Because ‘duty’ alone never appeals to the 


heart, but love can never be withstood. A 
bird will feel the difference between the two 
principles, and temper its trust accordingly. 
It is the sympathy of love which all creat- 
ures covet, and a zatural creature will not 
accept the spurious, be it ever so smoothly 
disguised. Everybody has read Harriet 
Beecher Stowe’s unparalleled novel, entitled 
‘Uncle ‘Tom’s Cabin,’ and must retain the 
memory of Aunt Ophelia’s practical treat- 
ment, according to set theories, as bestowed 
on black Topsy. It was repellant to her 
nature to even tolerate a ‘darkey,’ but she 
nevertheless did her duty by the child she 
set herself to christianize. Topsy felt the 
repulsion, and could not love ker or feel 
properly grateful for the favors provided 
her. Eva rebuked this lack of true feel- 
ing. ‘ But she don’t love me!’ said Topsy. 
‘Oh, yes, she does,’ Eva declared. * No— 


APPENDIX, 


no—she loves you, not me!’ ‘You mis 
take, dear,’ and gentle Eva kissed her. 
‘No—no,’ sobbed the black girl, entirely 


overcome by the demonstration, ‘she don’t 
“Tf I, with my philanthropic disposi- 


kiss me ; she aon’t like me!’ And it was 
so. Ophelia’s conscientious duty might 
command the respect, but, lacking the 
true inward feelings of sympathy and love, 
could not awaken in the yearning heart any 
deeper sense than respect; yet Kva’s love 
warmed the Jittle heathen soul to sublime 
sweetness. She would work, study, strive 
for any attainment Eva might advise, Le- 
cause she perceived her triumphs really 
pleased the only heart that gave her a par- 
ticle of true affection.” 


HOW KINDNESS TO PETS IS 
REPAID. 


RRL TEY, ON d to th f 
oN Gp 6 regard to the nursing o 
re e pets, Mrs. Farwell ek 

,_ ‘* No wise moral teacher will try 

(ss > to discountenance the assertion, 

ge} that the nurse who, with generous 

#@'Y patience, follows directions and 
saves the life of a sick bird, is not 
only performing a praiseworthy deed, but 
is also familiarizing herself with the rudi- 
ments of a science that may develop her 
i:.to becoming a first-class nurse or doctor 
some day. 

‘‘T once heard a mother say to her ten- 
der-hearted young daughter, who was rack- 
ing her ingenuity to relieve a sick kitten, 
‘Throw that cat out, and go and amuse 
baby!’ Baby was asieep, and required no 
care just then, while kitty suffered and was 
an object of pity. That girl is now a wife 
and mother, and is careless in both rela- 
tions. She has not the least tact in nursing 
her babies, or in ministering to her hus- 
band or self when ill. Her parents believed 
nothing in the relation of the brute with 
the human, and cared less for the lower or- 
ders of life than for the wood daily burned 
in the kitchen-stove. Then how could they 
show to their cnildren the principles em- 
bodying self-care and the care of others ? 
Of that self-abnegation, which is the inner 
light of true affection, they had no concep- 
tion, consequently their children knew not 
the meaning of the word in its moral sense. 
Had this mother evinced interest in the 
pet, shown the girl its symptoms, and indi- 
cated the remedies to be used she would 
have been interested, and would never have 
forgotten the lesson. 

‘“ With the aid of this work, a mother 
can teach her child the simple rules relat- 
ing to disease and its management; how 
to recognize, to locate, to nurse; and in 
tending the wee sufferer will accustom her- 
self to those habits of quiet patience which 


APPENDIX. 


make the practised nurse a blessing in the 
sick-room. 

‘* May not these results hasten the advent 
of that golden era when the mother-wisdom 
shail surround and ‘ make the most’ of her 
offspring ? 

‘*'To know the human creature we must 
first know the lesser creatures, and there is 
no way in which they can be so profitably 
studied as by introducing them into our 
homes, and associating them with ourselves 
and the domestic adjuncts of our civilized 
age. 


“THE NEW PHILOSOPHY.” 


YW 


‘& UR author continues: ‘ As 
you, rather mischievously, 
speak of my philosophy assum- 
ing something of an antagonis- 
a tic appearance in the inferences 
XA to be drawn from the story of 
Pinkie, Phyllis, and Butter- 
cup, I feel impelled to offer a thought upon 
this point also, not in a defensive form, 
but for the further inculcation of those 
temperamental truths we have been dis- 
cussing. 

‘*In the first instance, I would say that 
the facts of this story were realized in m 
aviary, where more than one hundred other 
canaries were also portraying the individu- 
ality of their natures. The true faith of a 
Jirst affection, as exemplified in each bird, 
could not be disputed. Pinkie’s jealousy— 
like that of many husbands whose toes 
count five instead of four—arose, evidently, 
from a sense of his own unworthiness. He 
demanded more than he gave, and was con- 
scious of the injustice of such a demand. 
Buttercup exhibited no jealousy, only 
a righteous indignation at Pinkie’s pre- 
sumption. And the two little wives were 
miniature examples of wifely fealty. 

‘‘It is impossible to judge just what 
course would be pursued by any member of 
my family had their affections been unfor- 
tunately cast upon an unattainable object, 
but in the other premises, I doubt if Butter- 
cup’s indignation could exceed the possi- 
bilities that might accrue. 

‘‘ We can measure the ocean’s depths, but 
those of the human heart, never. 

‘Birds do exactly as they incline to do 
always, when they have sufficient liberty 
for action, for they have not advanced far 
enough into the tenets of human civiliza- 
tion to know the value of self-repression. 
They cannot deceive. Their love disap- 
pointments are patent to all who take the 
interest to observe. Their next elected 
love knows just what metal she is mated 
to, and sees all the deeps of the tiny heart 
as they stand. Ah, what a world of grace 


| 


U 


133 


were this if the human family were thus 
transparent in these relations ! 

‘‘In the aviary, even as among a bevy 
of young people, there are certain of both 
sexes who seem to be objects of general 
regard, and the courting for favor among 
these warrants the names I give them of 
‘favorite,’ ‘ coquette,’ or ‘ Apollo.’ Some- 
times there is a hard fighting over these 
pretty favorites, but order pervades the 
chaos presently, and each has elected a 
mate to stay by. 

‘‘ When speaking of the influence of the 
human temperament over pets, I refer not 
to those natural laws that permeate all 
creation—those are facts—but to the indi- 
vidual peculiarities that are most promi- 
nent. Those quarrelsome birds—Dick and 
Katie—were faithful to the universal prin- 
ciples out of which evolves the marital re- 
lation, while they exemplified in their hab- 
its the uncomfortable couple who owned 
and held daily disputes before them. Now, 
Iam fond of seclusion. So are my birds. 
Whom is repulsive to me is also repulsive 
to them, and vice versa. Does not this fact, 
independent of the scores of others that I 
might quote, prove an instinctive harmony 
of sympathies has become verified between 
us ? oe 
‘*Mrs. Bristol says: ‘ Biddy could draw 
an inference.’ Indeed she could. So can 
any bird. They almost talk at times. I 
have a pet sparrow—Posey, I call him—who 
delights to watch the canaries in the avi- 
ary, and apprise me of the fact whenever 
they are disorderly. Of course, I have 
shown them that fighting displeases me. 
Posey dances, squeals, screams, when they 
begin to spar, and seems to say, ‘ They’re 
at it! Mistress, they’re at it! Come and 
scold ’’em! Scold! I like to see’em scold- 
ed!’ And truly he does act as if it were 
keenest enjoyment to see the canaries, of 
whose song he is extremely envious, merit 
and receive reproach. 

‘* When a bird in the aviary gets ill, it in- 
variably watches an opportunity to fly into 
my room and show me the fact. They 
have so often watched me care for sick 
birds, and are so confident of my affection- 
ate interest in all their out-of-joint matters, 
they approach me with almost the famili- 
arity a child does in soliciting mother’s 
sympathy. ‘They get out of some food they 
are fond of. Lam atonce informed. First, 
they cling at the screen door to attract my 
attention. (Iam usually within its range, 
my desk having situation opposite this 
door.) I say, ‘ Well, what’s wanting now ?’ 
and rise to investigate. They discreetly 
aid my vision by going to the empty dish, 
and casting such earnest glances from it to 
me as I cannot fail to understand. It I say 
‘ All right, you shall have some this min- 


134 


ute,’ there is immediate excitement in- 
fused through the entire aviary, and the 
door will be covered with the little eager 
waiters until I reappear with the food in 
question. 

‘‘ Of course, it takes time and constant 
association to get so many birds thus tame 
and intelligent, yet Iam not always fond- 
ling them. I am only where they can see 
me daily, hourly, and overlook my occu- 
pation.” 


BOPEEP AND THE MIRROR. 


a7 iy OPEEP, Mrs. Farwell tells 
aA US, by watching her toilette be- 
[Sv) fore the mirror, ‘‘ had a dawn- 
Awe) ing conviction it was not an- 
other mistress she saw, and not 
another bird, but herself and 
her own mistress; and from first trying to 
feed the bird therein, soon began to observe 
it reflectively ; but not until she took her 
mate before the wonderful surface, and 
~ caused him to turn and turn the while she 
gazed, was she convinced of her own iden- 
tity with that of theimage. Never after- 
ward did she offer food to her reflection, 
but would go to the glass to lay her feathers 
whenever she took a bath, and would often 
sit admiring her sleek beauties by the half- 
hour. She pulled pins and needles from 
their cushion with rapidity, and often piled 
them up in somo chink or cranny in the 
room. Often she has held a pin-head in 
her bill and amused herself scratching the 
mirror with its point. She liked pretty 
colors—a rose pink in particular—and al- 
ways lined her nests with them. <A pretty 
color, or a tasty dressing about my throat, 
kept her around me in an ecstasy of admi- 
ration, her great ambition being to snuggle 
inside its fascinating beauties. You will 
say Bopeep was a miracle of bird intelli- 
gence. I must admit that she was, for 
among all the birds I have handled, she 
excelled in all points. Like very smart 
children, she was ‘too smart to live;’ I 
found her one morning—about a year ago— 
on her nest, stone-dead. Perfectly well at 
night, one of her eggs (she was laying out 
a nest of eggs at the time) became stopped 
in its course, and ended her prized life in 
the darkness of the night. 
reaved, none of the family dared utter her 
name in my presence for nearly a month, 
for I was too ill at that time to use reason 
with much profit, and was unable to re- 
press the tears that naturally started with 
every jar on my disease-weakened nerves. 
She was my constant companion four years. 
While the other birds were confined to the 
aviary, Bopeep and her mate had the lib- 


* 


lL felt. so be-, 


APPENDIX. 


erty of my room—my sanctum, the family 
euphonize it. be . 

*‘ Should the publishers of this book ex- 
amine the paper on which it is written, 
they will find numerous indentures thereon 
where Bopeep’s sharp little beak toyed dur- 
ing my labors, as she sat on the corner of 
the desk overlooking the glide of the pen, 
her busy brain speculating on some un- 
tried antic which should elicit the merry 
commendation she so pridefully loved. 

‘‘ When the scientific naturalist states the 
canary has, according to its size, a larger 
brain than man, [am disposed to believe 
him. An untutored child—or man even— 
would require time to ascertain the real 
facts of the mirror, and the same princi- 
ples of deduction employed by Bopeep’s 
cunning little brain would be drawn upon, 
the same methods pursued. And the en- 
lightened human, puffed with vain-glory, 
would display to the ignorant ones about 
him this acquired fact precisely as the bird 
did her companions. She also taught her 
young the mirror’s truth, and they evinced 
comical disgustat the conduct of a strange 
canary whose ‘wool was so thick,’ he 
would insist on trying to out-battle his 
own reflection. While I have not elabor- 
ated the point started on as I designed, 
these examplifications have filled so much 
valuable space, good sense tells me to ‘ dam 
my river’ here and permit your own intel- 
ligence to work out the myriad deductions 
I fain would portray, especially those which 
convince me the inferences of birds and 
beasts are not born of mere instinct, as so 
many self-hipped minds theorize. ‘They 
do reason even as we reason, and are capa- 
ble of civilizatian, though their class and 
mental and physical conformation incapac- 
itate them from revolutionizing a world 
with such ingenious devices as are shaping 
our century a very glow-star in the galaxy 
of time.” 


A GENEROUS COMPLIMENT. 


‘% RS. Farwell concludes her 
review as follows : 

“That truly great and 
noble work of yours, to which 
‘INO the homely title of ‘Plain 

te We Home Talk and Medical Com- 
mon Sense’ has been given, treats so thor- 
oughly the many phases of temperament, 
character, etc., 1 feel that my adjustments 
must seem to your larger experience like a 


sort of ‘ slopping over,’ if Imay be allowed 


to use such a term. 


‘‘ May I express my sentiments upon your — 


book in this letter? It was the first of 


your works that I read, and really pleased 


“ FF £4 


APPENDIX. 


me more than any matter my mind had be- 
fore digested ; and it seemed to me that old 
custom was about to swerve into broader 
tenets and waken men toa real soul exis- 
tence. ‘Thedeft handling of all those man- 
ifold virtues, vices, relationships, etc., 
which converge ail animated life into a 
whole (once a chaotic whole which. God’s 
hand dynamited into particles, and has for 
millions of centuries been trying to polish 
off into atoms of perfection), convinced me 
there could be no ‘asphyxia of soul’ at- 
tributed to such a thinker; and as the 
reader must imbibe somewhat of the au- 
thor’s inspiration, there glowed in these 
pages a sufficiency of the magnetic impetus 
to burn away all bonds and set a new-born 
soul before the world wide awake. I am 


135 


not trying to flatter you, though I do be- 
lieve there should be no stint of apprecia- 
tion where earnest labor deserves it, and 
take the liberty of saying I regard you thus 
deserving. Who can say the fascinating 
common-sense reasonings in these books of 
yours were not inspired by the Divine One, 
or that he has not baptized you one of His 
assistants in that general polishing off al- 
luded to ? 

‘‘ Hoping the truths of your conscien- 
tious philosophy, grasping as they do the 
small fingers of my lesser philosophy — 
lesser but equally conscientious—may, in 
their denoted connections, find such ap- 
proval in the intelligent public mind as will 
repay us for our voluntary and most agree- 
able labor, I remain, etc.” 


aT i tig 
acted ( ik ‘ 
bs Ene si} ait. Dstt 


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given to any one accepting one of the above offers, when asked for. 


A Great Offer—and No Mistake! 


ADVICE TO A WIFE—On the Management of Her Own Health and on 
the Treatment of some of the Complaints incidental to Pregnancy, 
Labour and Suckling. By Pye Henry Chavasse, of the Royal College 
of Surgeons, England; and 

ADVICE TO A MOTHER—On the Management of Her Children and the 
Treatment of their more-pressing Illnesses and Accidents, treating 
fully of the Hygiene of Infancy, Childhood, Boyhood and Girlhood. 
By the same author. 


Given with Dr. Foote’s Health Monthly one year for $1. 


2" THESE TWO BOOKS, of 264 pages each, are bound in one nice 
volume, forming a complete MOTHER’s MANUAL and WIFE’s GUIDE, in 
which over One Thousand Questions of common occurrence in the best 
regulated families are fully answered, and no family can be well regu- 
lated without it. 


MURRAY HILL PUBLISHING CO., 129 E. 28th St., New York. 


MURRAY HILL PUBLISHING CO. 


129 East Twenty-eighth St., New-York, 
Issue the following Valuable Books on Medical, Social and ‘Sexual Subjects : 


PLAIN HOME-TALK and MEDICAL COMMON SENSE, 


By Dr. E. B. Foote. In one handsome 12mo volume of nearly 1000 
pages; fully illustrated. In sail jhe or habitat Clot eia s $3.25 
A new cheap edition at only......... qa St oO 


SCIENCE IN STORY; or, gamuer Tubbs, this ae eS and 
Sponsie, the Troublesome Monkey. 

By Dr. E. B. Foote. Five vols. ; set, $5; each, $1; 5 vols. in one, $2 00 
HOW TO READ FACES; or, Practical and Scientific Physi- 

ognomy. 

By Mary O. Stanton, 350,pages, cloth-bound............) ee $2.00 
SEXUAL PHYSIOLOGY FOR THE YOUNG. 

The fifth volume of “ ease in cabins *? 250 pages, illustrated and 
cloth-bound... tos 50h okteaeeeeds ae a0. 
DR. FOOTE’S HEALTH MONTHLY. 

Devoted to hygiene, sexual and social science and allied ae 
ninth year. Specimen copies free. Per year, with premium............50c. 


MOTHER’S MANUAL. 

Comprising ‘‘Advice to a Wife on the Management of Her Own Health, 
especially during Pregnancy, Labour and Suckling’’ and “ Advice toa 
Mother on the Management of Her Children in sirname and Childhood.”’ 


Two books in one volume; 528 pages.. Sie ... $1.00 
HAND-BOOK OF HEALTH HINTS AND READY RECIPES. 
By Dr. Foote. A valuable reference pamphlet of 128 pages............ 25c. 


HOME-CURE SERIES. (Dime PampuHtets. ) 

By Dr. Foote. ‘‘Crovup,’’ “‘Oup Eyres Maps New,” *‘ Coup FEer,”’ 
** RUPTURE,” “ Puimosis,’”’ ‘‘ SPERMATORRHG@A.’ Hach, by mail...... 10c. 
SEXUAL-SCIENCE SERIES. (Dive Pamp ers.) 


By Dr. Foote. ‘‘ PHystouoagicAL MARRIAGE,’ ‘‘ PHYSIOLOGICAL Im- 
PROVEMENT OF Humanity,” “A STEP BackKwARD”’ (successor of “‘Words 
in Pearl’’), ‘‘ RepLizes To THE ALPHITES,”’ 128 pages, discussing the pro 
and con. of the hygiene of sexual continence. Each, by mail............ 10e. 


MARRIAGE — As It Was, as It Is and as It Should Be. 

By Mrs. Annie Besant. Steel portrait, 50c.; without portrait......25c. 
SANITARY-SCIENCE SERIES. (Dime Pampatets.) 

By Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr. “Bacreria IN THEIR RELATION TO DISEASE,” 
presenting the germ-theory, advocating personal and public higiene an 


opposing vaccination; ‘‘ HEALTH IN THE SUNBEAM,” consti ae 
blue-glass cure—of value to sick and well. Each, by mail... ..10¢ 


HEREDITY. (Booxs anp PaMpHLeTs. ) 


“Herepity.”’ By Loring Moody. 159 pp., cloth...............0sseeeeeee 
“Vp Law of Herepity.” By F. H. Marsh......... (cee 10 
“THe ALPHABET OF THE HUMAN eerste a San By Dr. Foote... 10 
‘‘GENERATION Brrore REGENERATION.” By Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr.. 10 


**REPORTS OF CONVENTIONS AND PARLOR MEETINGS DURING n= oe 10 
“THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE INSTITUTE OF HEREDITY.” 10 


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